Electoral Process and Timetable Under the Electoral Act 2026
by Okoi Obono-Obla
With the coming into force of the Electoral Act 2026 and the release of the timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), preparations for the 2026 general elections have formally begun.
According to INEC’s timetable:
– The Presidential and National Assembly elections (House of Representatives and Senate) will hold on Saturday, 16 January 2027.
– The Governorship and State Assembly elections will follow on Saturday, 6 February 2027.
It is well recognized that elections are not confined to the general election itself. The process begins with the nomination of candidates by political parties, through either primaries or consensus arrangements. Only candidates duly nominated and whose names are submitted to INEC will represent their parties in the general election.
In line with the timetable, the conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising therefrom, will commence on 23 April 2026 and end on 30 May 2026.
Relevant Provisions of the Electoral Act 2026:
– Section 28(1): INEC shall fix the dates for general elections and publish the timetable and schedule of activities not later than 360 days before the elections.
– Section 84(1): A political party seeking to sponsor candidates for elections shall hold primaries or adopt consensus as the method of nomination.
– Section 84(2–3): Where consensus is adopted, all aspirants must sign a written agreement. If any aspirant refuses, the party must revert to primaries.
– Section 84(12): Political parties must submit the list of candidates who emerged from their primaries or consensus arrangements to INEC not later than 180 days before the date of the general election.
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Conclusion:
The Electoral Act 2026 provides a streamlined framework for candidate nomination, limiting the process to primaries or consensus. By mandating INEC to fix election dates and requiring political parties to submit candidates within a clear timeline, the Act enhances transparency and predictability in Nigeria’s electoral process. With the timetable already released, the stage is set for the 2027 general elections, beginning with party primaries in April 2026 and culminating in the nationwide polls in January and February 2027.
By Okoi Obono-Obla
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