The Senate has revised Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, reducing the compulsory election notice period from 360 days to 300 days. The adjustment aims to provide greater scheduling flexibility for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The move follows concerns from religious organizations and community leaders, who warned that the original February 2027 poll date could coincide with major faith-based observances, potentially affecting voter turnout in certain regions.
The adjustment gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) more leeway to organize the elections, allowing them to be scheduled between late December 2026 and January 2027, rather than within a tighter earlier timeframe.
Under the updated provision, INEC must publish election details at least 300 days before the poll, stating that it “shall, not later than 300 days before the day appointed for holding of an election under this Bill, publish a notice in each State of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory – (a) stating the date of the election; and (b) appointing the place at which nomination papers are to be delivered.”
The amendment was approved on Tuesday during clause-by-clause scrutiny of the reworked legislation, following a rescission and recommittal proposal sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele of Ekiti
Central.
Bamidele explained that a review after the bill’s initial passage revealed that the 360-day requirement could push the 2027 elections into Ramadan, potentially affecting turnout, electoral operations, stakeholder participation, and the overall credibility of the process.
His motion also proposed technical corrections to the bill’s Long Title and several sections, including Clauses 6, 9, 10, 22, 23, 28, 29, 32, 42, 47, 51, 60, 62, 64, 65, 73, 77, 86, 87, 89, 93, and 143.
The revisions follow an earlier INEC timetable that had tentatively scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 2027, a period that overlaps with Ramadan, prompting consultations with legislative leaders and concerns from some Muslim stakeholders.
Lawmakers noted that the legislation, initially approved in February 2026, had already seen prior timeline reductions in earlier drafts, including proposals for a 180-day notice period.
The current amendment represents a targeted 60-day reduction to accommodate religious and logistical considerations.
