INEC announces dates for 2027 presidential, governorship, NASS elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 20, 2027.

The electoral umpire also fixed March 6, 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced the dates at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Amupitan had, on Thursday, told the National Assembly that the commission will require N873.78 billion to conduct the 2027 general election, alongside N171 billion to fund its routine operations in the 2026 fiscal year.

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The INEC boss, while presenting the commission’s budget proposal before the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja, described the figures as necessary for both election preparation and regular activities, including by-elections and off-season polls.

The proposed N873.78 billion marks a sharp rise from the N313.4 billion released for the 2023 general election.

According to the commission, the 2027 election budget will cover five key components, including N379.75 billion for operations, N92.32 billion for administration, N209.21 billion for technology, N154.91 billion for capital expenditure, and N42.61 billion for miscellaneous costs.

The Star