The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed claims that it has published the timetable for the 2027 general elections, describing reports circulating in parts of the media and on social platforms as “false and misleading.”
In a statement issued on Friday, INEC said it had not released any timetable or schedule of activities for the next general election and warned that any such document could not have emanated from the commission.
The clarification, signed by the chief press secretary and media adviser to the INEC chairman, Adedayo Oketola, comes amid growing political activity and speculation as parties, aspirants, and supporters begin positioning ahead of 2027.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission wishes to categorically refute reports circulating in some quarters claiming that the commission has released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election,” the statement said. “The commission wishes to state clearly that this information is false and misleading.”
INEC stressed that its actions are governed strictly by the law, pointing specifically to the Electoral Act 2022, which sets out clear timelines for the conduct of elections. Under section 28(1) of the Act, the commission is required to publish a notice of election not later than 360 days before the date fixed for a general election.
By implication, INEC said, any timetable or schedule issued outside that statutory window cannot be authentic. “Any timetable or schedule of activities purportedly issued outside this statutory framework cannot emanate from INEC,” the statement emphasised.
The commission’s intervention reflects a broader concern about the spread of misinformation in Nigeria’s political space, particularly as election cycles approach. In recent weeks, unverified documents purporting to outline dates for party primaries, campaigns and polling have circulated widely online, fuelling speculation and, in some cases, anxiety among political actors.
INEC sought to reassure Nigerians that when the time comes, the official timetable for the 2027 general election will be released transparently and in full compliance with the law. It said the process would be guided by both the 1999 constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022.
“The official timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election will be released in due course,” the commission said, adding that it would be communicated through its “established and verified channels”.
The electoral body also urged the public and the media to exercise caution, advising them to disregard unverified reports and rely solely on information published on INEC’s official platforms for accurate and authoritative updates.
The clarification is likely to be welcomed by election observers and civil society groups, many of whom have repeatedly called for clear communication from the commission to counter misinformation and build public confidence in the electoral process.
With more than two years to go before the next general election, INEC’s message was pointed: while political manoeuvring may already be under way, the formal electoral calendar will only begin when the law allows it to.
