Recall that INEC had announced February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, with governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls scheduled for March 6, 2027.
The timetable comes amid ongoing debate on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to allow for electronic transmission of election results in real time.
The Senate on Tuesday reworked, for the second time in one week, the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, rescinding the action it earlier took last week when it passed the bill, readjusting the 360-day notice requirement prescribed in Clause 28 to ensure that the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections do not fall within the period of Ramadan.
The upper legislative chamber also, for the second time in a week, and after a call for division, rejected “real-time” electronic transmission of election results, favouring the manual mode where network fails.
According to the Senate, the adjustment of the timetable by the electoral umpire has become imperative against the backdrop that the coincidence of the elections with the Ramadan period could adversely affect voter turnout, logistical coordination, stakeholder engagement, and the overall inclusiveness and credibility of the electoral process.
The move was sequel to a motion for rescission and recommittal by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who cited the need to address fundamental discrepancies and logistical concerns regarding the 2027 general election timetable.
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