The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally kicked off the process leading to the 2027 general elections, announcing a 38-day window for political parties to conduct their primaries.
According to the commission, parties are expected to hold primaries for presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and State Houses of Assembly positions between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
The timeline also allows room for resolving disputes that may arise from the internal contests, a move aimed at reducing post-primary litigations.
INEC further directed all political parties to submit their membership registers at least 21 days before their primaries. The deadline for this submission has been fixed for May 10, 2026.
With this announcement, the electoral body has effectively set the stage for the 2027 elections, as all 18 registered political parties begin preparations for their internal selection processes.
The commission emphasised the need for transparency, fairness, and inclusiveness during the primaries, urging parties to uphold internal democracy and strictly adhere to the guidelines to avoid disqualification or legal challenges.
More details on monitoring and other phases of the electoral process are expected to be released in the coming weeks as preparations intensify nationwide.
