The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, passed an amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, reducing the mandatory notice period for general elections from 360 days to 300 days. The change is designed to prevent the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections from falling during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which could disrupt voter participation and electoral logistics.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved the motion to rescind and recommit the bill for amendment. He argued that the original 360-day requirement—intended to give ample time for preparations—risked forcing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to schedule the 2027 polls during Ramadan, potentially compromising the process.
Bamidele cautioned that conducting elections during the fasting period could lead to:
Reduced voter turnout due to religious observance and fatigue.
Logistical challenges for voters, polling officials, security personnel, and party agents.
Limited participation by Muslim stakeholders, including candidates, observers, and voters.
Questions about the inclusiveness, credibility, and fairness of the exercise.
The amendment specifically modifies Clause 28 of the Electoral Act, now requiring INEC to publish election notices “not later than 300 days” before the poll. The notice must include the election date, nomination procedures, and other relevant details.
The adjustment follows extensive consultations between the National Assembly leadership and INEC. It was passed swiftly after the Senate invoked its standing orders to revisit the legislation during an already scheduled plenary.
Senate Committee on Electoral Matters Chairman Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South) clarified that INEC’s announced dates—February 20, 2027, for Presidential and National Assembly elections, and March 6, 2027, for governorship and state assembly polls—were not deliberately set to coincide with Ramadan. Instead, they stem from the long-term election timetable established by former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu in 2018, which fixed a consistent cycle for elections from 2019 through 2031 to promote predictability and planning.
Lalong explained that the timetable was designed to align with constitutional timelines and avoid overlaps with other national events, but the precise overlap with Ramadan in 2027 only became apparent after the month’s projected dates were confirmed through astronomical calculations.
The Senate’s action reflects sensitivity to religious diversity and the need to ensure broad participation in what remains Nigeria’s most critical democratic exercise. Ramadan in 2027 is expected to begin around mid-February and end in mid-March, potentially overlapping with the originally scheduled February 20 presidential poll.
The amended bill now heads to the House of Representatives for concurrence. If passed by the lower chamber and assented to by President Bola Tinubu, the revised 300-day notice period will apply to the 2027 general elections and future cycles unless further changes are made.
INEC has not yet issued an official statement on whether it will adjust the February 20, 2027, date following the amendment. However, the commission has previously indicated flexibility in final scheduling once the legal framework is settled.
The decision underscores ongoing efforts to balance constitutional requirements, logistical realities, and cultural considerations in Nigeria’s electoral process. With the 2027 elections less than 13 months away, stakeholders—including political parties, civil society, religious leaders, and voters—will closely monitor the next steps to ensure the polls are free, fair, credible, and inclusive.
