The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that delays in amending the Electoral Act could disrupt parts of the INEC 2027 election timetable. Even so, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan assured Nigerians that the commission remains fully prepared to conduct the polls.
Amupitan raised this concern during INEC’s first quarterly consultative meeting with civil society organisations (CSOs) in Abuja on Wednesday. He explained that the commission has already finalized its election schedule based on the current legal framework. However, he noted that any changes from a new Electoral Act might require adjustments to that plan.
“While we have made our submissions to the National Assembly, the passage of the amendment may have implications for certain items in our timetable,” Amupitan said. “For now, the commission has no choice but to operate within the framework of the subsisting Electoral Act.”
Therefore, he urged the National Assembly to speed up the amendment process. “We seek your support in urging the National Assembly to speed up work on the amendment of the Electoral Act,” he told CSOs. Clear and timely legislation, he stressed, is essential for smooth election planning.
Despite the uncertainty, Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s readiness. He announced a nationwide voter revalidation exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections. “A credible register of voters remains the bedrock of free, fair and transparent elections,” he said. The revalidation aims to clean up the voter roll and ensure only eligible citizens vote.
In addition, Amupitan called on CSOs to boost mobilization efforts in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Residents must collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the Area Council elections on Saturday, February 21, 2026. He reminded stakeholders that PVC distribution in the FCT ends on February 10, 2026. “We do not want anyone to be disenfranchised,” he said.
He also asked CSOs to monitor political parties closely. Specifically, he urged them to promote peaceful participation and speak out against hate speech, vote buying, misinformation, disinformation, and election-related violence.
Regarding the upcoming FCT polls, Amupitan shared key details. A total of 1,680,315 registered voters will cast ballots across 2,822 polling units in six Area Councils: Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. Furthermore, 570 candidates will contest chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councillorship positions.
INEC has already recruited and trained ad hoc staff for the elections. It is also configuring BVAS devices to handle voter accreditation and upload results to the IReV portal.
Moreover, Amupitan confirmed that bye-elections will take place the same day in four state constituencies: Ahoada East II and Khana II in Rivers State, and Kano Municipal and Ungogo in Kano State.
On a related note, the House of Representatives dismissed claims that lawmakers are deliberately stalling the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, said the delay is procedural, not political.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Balogun confirmed that both chambers are actively working on the bill. “The Senate is in session, considering the bill. Hopefully, the harmonisation will be completed by next week,” he said.
In summary, while the INEC 2027 election timetable faces potential revisions due to legislative delays, the commission continues full preparations. With voter revalidation, PVC distribution, and upcoming local elections underway, INEC is moving forward—urging lawmakers to act swiftly so the 2027 polls remain on track.
