INEC Finally Decides on 2027 Election Amid NASS Drama

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is ready for the 2027 general elections and has already completed work on the election timetable and schedule of activities, even as the National Assembly (NASS) delays passage of an amended Electoral Act.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, February 4, INEC Chairman Joash Ojo Amupitan said the commission has “done its homework” on the 2027 timetable and has made its submission available to lawmakers, after engaging with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

However, INEC signalled that some parts of the schedule could still shift once the National Assembly eventually passes the amended Electoral Act. The point, the commission indicated, is simple: elections run on law, and changes to the legal framework can alter deadlines and procedures tied to election preparations.

Until that amendment happens, INEC says it will continue to plan and act based on the existing (subsisting) Electoral Act, rather than pause critical preparatory work. 

That stance is meant to prevent uncertainty from stalling operational planning, especially for a nationwide election that requires long lead times for logistics, voter administration, and stakeholder coordination.

The backdrop to INEC’s message is growing concern among observers that the delayed amendment process could create avoidable pressure points as 2027 approaches—particularly if key changes are introduced late in the cycle. 

For INEC, the public takeaway is that planning is moving forward, but lawmakers’ final decisions on electoral reforms may still determine what gets adjusted in the official roadmap.