The Senate on Tuesday approved an amendment to Clause 28 of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, reducing the minimum notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days.
The adjustment gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) greater latitude in fixing dates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections, potentially allowing the polls to hold between late December 2026 and January 2027.
Under the revised provision, INEC is required to publish a notice of election “not later than 300 days before the day appointed for holding of an election,” in all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. The notice must indicate the election date and the locations where nomination papers are to be submitted.
The amendment was adopted during a clause-by-clause review of the bill after a motion for rescission and recommittal moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central).
Bamidele explained that a review conducted after the bill’s initial passage showed that retaining the 360-day notice requirement could push the 2027 elections into Ramadan. He noted that such timing might affect voter participation, logistics, stakeholder engagement and the overall inclusiveness and credibility of the process.
The motion also corrected technical inconsistencies in the bill’s Long Title and several clauses, 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. Lawmakers addressed issues relating to cross-references, numbering and internal coherence.
The latest amendment follows INEC’s earlier tentative timetable, which had proposed February 2027 for the presidential and National Assembly elections—a period that coincides with Ramadan. The proposed date sparked consultations with National Assembly leaders and drew concerns from some Muslim groups.
The Electoral Act amendment bill, initially passed earlier in February 2026, had previously reduced certain timelines, including to 180 days in earlier drafts.
With the new 60-day reduction in the notice period, the Senate said it aims to balance constitutional requirements with religious and logistical considerations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
