Tinubu Signs Electoral Act 2026, Sets 2027 Election Dates

On February 18, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026, which has significant implications for the electoral process in Nigeria. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Chairman Professor Joash O.

Amupitan, announced the timetable for the 2027 general elections, scheduling the presidential and national assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the governorship and state house assembly elections for March 6, 2027. The Act replaces the previous Electoral Act 2022 and emphasizes the need for compliance with constitutional provisions regarding election scheduling.

The Act also highlights the relationship between INEC's authority to set election dates and the constitutional restrictions outlined in Section 132. The signing of this Act has sparked debates regarding its provisions, particularly concerning the timing of elections during religious periods, such as Ramadan and Lent.