The schedule for the general election in 2027 has been finalised, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, there were clear indications that the electoral authority might be waiting for the National Assembly to approve the electoral amendments before making them public. Joash Amupitan, the chairman of INEC, hinted at this on Wednesday when he met with civil society organisations (CSOs) in Abuja for his first regular consultative meeting of the year. However, Amupitan urged the National Assembly to move quickly on the revisions to the Electoral Act, expressing his reservations about them.
"The commission is authorised by Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, to issue an election notice no later than 360 days prior to the polling date," he stated. The commission has submitted as required, and the National Assembly is currently working on modifications to the Electoral Act. He provided an overview of the FCT Area Council election, which is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Amupitan provided an overview of the extent of preparations, stating that 1,680,315 registered voters will participate in the election across 2,822 polling places (PUs) in the six (6) area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT): Abaji, the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
He claimed that 570 candidates will run in 68 constituencies for the chairman's and vice-chairmen's seats and 62 councillors, each of whom will represent 10 wards for five Area Councils and 12 wards for the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
He pointed out that ten of the thirteen major events on the election schedule, which was announced on January 23, 2025, have already been effectively finished. According to him, the final day of campaigns, the election day itself, and the release of the notice of poll are the remaining activities. Campaigns conclude on Thursday, February 19, 2026,' he reminded the parties.
He discussed the upcoming by-elections in Rivers State's Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies. Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies in Rivers State will hold by-elections on February 21, 2026, according to the INEC chairman.
He clarified that the vacancies in Ahoada East II and Khana II resulted from the elected members' resignations and deaths, respectively. According to him, the commission is currently purging the voter list in order to remove people who have passed away and those who registered twice.
A total of 171 letters of intent from associations wishing to register as political parties were received by the commission. He stated that the associations were evaluated in accordance with Clause 2 of the Commission's Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022, Section 79(1), (2), and (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, and Section 222 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Constitution.
