INEC Debunks Viral 2027 Election Timetable

Posted by Chinenye on Wed 29th Jul, 2026 - tori.ng

The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed a widely shared 2027 election timetable circulating on social media, describing it as fake.

( INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan. Photo Credit: PM News)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dismissed a new schedule that was making the rounds on social media as fraudulent and denied altering the general election plan for 2027.

According to the contested graphic, the commission had changed some of the election campaign deadlines that had been previously established.

It indicated that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections would end on January 15, 2027, instead of January 14, while campaigns for the governorship and state House of Assembly polls would close on February 5 rather than February 4.

The presidential and National Assembly elections, however, remained fixed for January 16, while the governorship and state assembly polls were retained for February 6.

Responding to the controversy on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the viral timetable did not originate from the commission.

Stressing that the graphic did not emanate from INEC, as the commission does not issue campaign timetables separately.

He explained that all campaign dates and other electoral activities were already contained in the revised timetable released by INEC on February 26, 2026.

Oketola urged journalists, political parties and members of the public to verify election-related information through INEC's official communication channels, adding that as the country enters the election season, everyone must remain vigilant against the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

Under the authentic timetable, campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will run from August 19, 2026, to January 14, 2027, while campaigns for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections will run from September 9, 2026, to February 4, 2027.

INEC maintained that the presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state assembly elections will take place on February 6.