The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the timetable for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections is fixed and will not be changed. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan gave the assurance in Port Harcourt, where he also said the commission will release the final voters’ register on December 15.
Amupitan spoke at an interactive meeting with INEC staff from the six South-South states, called to assess the commission’s readiness for next year’s polls, according to ThisDay and The Sun.
“Our statutory timeline is fixed”
The INEC chairman said the election calendar could not be altered without lawful justification. “Our statutory timeline is fixed. We will not change anything,” he said, as quoted by The Sun. He added that the elections must hold as scheduled.
Under the amended timetable INEC released in February after the new Electoral Act, the presidential and National Assembly elections are fixed for January 16, 2027, with governorship and state assembly polls on February 6, 2027, according to reports by The Guardian and Arise News at the time.
His comments come amid public debate about possible disruptions, including recent Ebola scares in parts of the North-East. The NCDC has said suspected cases in Adamawa tested negative.
Voters’ register: 5,000 claims, 600 objections
Amupitan said INEC published the preliminary register online and at designated centres for public scrutiny. The commission received more than 5,000 claims for corrections, such as errors in names and dates of birth, and over 600 objections. These are being handled before the final register is released on December 15.
He disclosed that he had thought about revalidating the entire register after taking office, but dropped the idea because it would come too close to the general election. The register has also faced scrutiny over suspected AI-generated photos, which INEC said it is investigating.
Rivers in focus as South-South counts 15.8 million voters
According to the figures shared at the meeting, the six South-South states have a combined 15,823,550 registered voters. Rivers State leads with 3,736,434, followed by Delta (3,525,988), Edo (2,865,263), Akwa Ibom (2,566,198), Cross River (1,928,978) and Bayelsa (1,200,691).
Amupitan said Rivers would get special attention because of its size, telling staff it was their duty to ensure no voter is disenfranchised because of operational failures.
Security, technology and staff conduct
The chairman said INEC is working with the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to protect voters, staff, ad hoc workers and election materials. He warned that anyone who threatens or attacks election officials, including NYSC corps members, will face prosecution.
He dismissed claims that artificial intelligence or algorithms could decide the outcome of the 2027 polls, insisting that voters alone will decide. He acknowledged growing cybersecurity threats and said the commission is strengthening protection for its digital systems.
Amupitan also warned electoral officers against partisanship, negligence, absenteeism and financial misconduct, saying offenders will be disciplined. He cited the recent Osun governorship election, which he said recorded the highest turnout in the state’s off-cycle history, as evidence that credible polls are possible.
What happens next
The next key date is December 15, when the final register is due. After that, attention will shift to the collection of Permanent Voter Cards and the final stretch of campaigns. Political parties and civil society groups are expected to watch closely how INEC resolves the claims and objections, and whether its security plans hold up in flashpoint states.
Sources: ThisDay, The Sun, The Guardian, Arise News, Vanguard.