…INEC has already finalised its election timetable and schedule of activities
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned that prolonged delays in amending the Electoral Act could force adjustments to key components of the timetable for the 2027 general elections, even as it reaffirmed its readiness to conduct the polls as scheduled.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), sounded the warning on Wednesday in Abuja at the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with civil society organisations (CSOs).
Amupitan disclosed that INEC has already finalised its election timetable and schedule of activities in line with the existing legal framework but noted that any alterations arising from a revised Electoral Act could necessitate changes.
“Although we have submitted our proposals to the National Assembly, the eventual passage of the amendment may have implications for certain elements of our timetable,” he said. “For now, however, the commission must continue to operate within the provisions of the subsisting Electoral Act.”
He appealed to the National Assembly to fast-track the amendment process to eliminate uncertainties ahead of the 2027 elections, urging CSOs to lend their voices to the call.
“We seek your support in pressing the National Assembly to expedite action on the amendment of the Electoral Act,” the INEC chairman said.
Despite the concerns, Amupitan assured Nigerians that the commission remains fully prepared for the 2027 polls, announcing plans to conduct a nationwide voter revalidation exercise.
“A credible voters’ register is the foundation of free, fair and transparent elections. In this regard, the commission will embark on a nationwide voter revalidation exercise ahead of the 2027 general election,” he stated.
Shifting focus to ongoing electoral activities, Amupitan called on CSOs to intensify voter mobilisation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ensure eligible voters collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the Area Council elections slated for Saturday, February 21, 2026.
“The current PVC distribution exercise in the FCT ends on February 10, 2026. We do not want any eligible voter to be disenfranchised,” he warned.
He further urged CSOs to closely monitor the conduct of political parties and promote peaceful participation, cautioning against hate speech, vote buying, misinformation, disinformation and election-related violence.
Providing updates on preparations for the FCT polls, Amupitan revealed that 1,680,315 registered voters are expected to vote across 2,822 polling units in the six Area Councils of Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.
He added that a total of 570 candidates would contest chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councillorship positions, noting that INEC has concluded the recruitment and training of ad hoc staff and is currently configuring BVAS devices for voter accreditation and real-time upload of results to the IReV portal.
The INEC chairman also confirmed that bye-elections would be conducted on the same day in Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies in Rivers State, as well as Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies in Kano State.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has dismissed claims that the National Assembly is deliberately stalling the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, insisting that the delay is procedural.
Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Mr Adebayo Balogun, said the bill is expected to reach the harmonisation stage next week, stressing that work is ongoing in both chambers.
“The Senate is currently in session and considering the bill. Hopefully, the harmonisation process will be concluded by next week,” Balogun said.
