- Reps summon emergency session on poll timetable, others
- Lobbying intensifies ahead harmonisation of Amended Electoral Bill
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering legislative intervention to address concerns raised by some Nigerians over the 2027 election timetable.
The leadership of the House of Representatives has already summoned members for a session on Tuesday to deliberate on the election timetable.
Spokesman of the House and Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akintunde Rotimi, said yesterday that the House would deliberate on matters arising from the schedule of activities and timetable released by the commission.
The Conference Committee on Electoral Act of the two chambers of the National Assembly had earlier been scheduled for tomorrow to resolve the issue of electronic transmission of election results adopted in the amendments to the Electoral Act.
The Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for February 20 while the governorship and state assembly polls are fixed for March 6.
But moments after the timetable was made public, some Nigerians called for its review as it coincides with the Ramadan.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Haruna, said in a statement that INEC was mindful of the concerns raised by Nigerians about the timetable.
He explained that the timetable was developed in compliance with existing regulations and legal provisions while the commission has launched into consultation with stakeholders on the issue.
Haruna said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to address public concerns arising from the recently released timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election, particularly regarding the dates fixed for the conduct of elections.
“The Commission recalls that the timetable was developed in strict compliance with the timelines contained in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and the INEC Guidelines and Regulations for the Conduct of Elections, 2022.
“The INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, made since 2019, fixed the dates elections are to be held. Paragraph 2 of the Regulation provides:
“Election to the office of President and Vice President, as well as National Assembly, shall hold on the Third Saturday of February of any General Election year, while election to the Office of Governor and Deputy Governor and the State Houses of Assembly shall hold two (2) weeks thereafter.”
“Accordingly, and in faithful observance of these extant legal and regulatory provisions, the Commission fixed Saturday, 20th February 2027 for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections and Saturday, 6th March 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections.
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission has taken due notice of concerns expressed by stakeholders regarding the coincidence of the scheduled dates with certain nationally recognised holidays and observances.
“The Commission wishes to assure the public that it remains sensitive to all legitimate concerns that may impact electoral participation and the overall conduct of elections.
“In view of these representations, the Commission is currently undertaking consultations and may, where necessary, seek appropriate legislative intervention to address the concerns raised, while ensuring that any adjustment remains consistent with constitutional and statutory requirements.
“INEC reiterates its unwavering commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and the credible conduct of the 2027 General Election. The public will be duly informed of any further developments.”
Sections 76(2), 116 (2), 132 (2) and 178 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) stipulate that elections to the advertised offices shall hold not earlier than One Hundred and Fifty (150) days and not later than Thirty (30) days before the expiration of the term of office of`the last holder of that office.
Why INEC should review election schedule, by stakeholders
Several Muslim stakeholders, who spoke with The Nation on the development, said holding elections during Ramadan could pose challenges for millions of Muslim voters, electoral officials, and security personnel who would be observing the fast.
According to them, the physical demands of fasting during the days and midnights may affect voters turning out for long hours under the sun while queuing to carry out election duties.
The National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, described INEC’s decision as insensitive and disrespectful to the Muslim Ummah.
He asked INEC to move the elections outside Ramadan, stressing that election dates are not sacrosanct, as adjustments have been made in the past.
“As Muslims, we do not complain when elections do not affect our religious activities. However, we must make our feelings known when actions appear to disregard our religious obligations.
“Millions of Nigerian Muslims are stakeholders in the Nigerian project and should be respected when fixing election dates.
“Elections are national exercises that should encourage the broadest participation. Fixing the polls during Ramadan may disenfranchise or discourage the active engagement of many Muslims,” he said.
Speaking in the same vein, the National Amir (President) of The Companion — an association of Muslim men in business and professions — Imam Nojeem Jimoh, also called on the electoral commission to reconsider the dates.
According to him, INEC had in the past adjusted election timetables due to prevailing circumstances, including security concerns and logistical challenges, and should, therefore, review the 2027 dates in the interest of inclusivity and national cohesion.
Imam Jimoh noted that similar adjustments were made during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that there would be nothing unusual in doing so again.
To forestall such reactions in the future, the Islamic scholar urged INEC to engage in broader consultations with religious and community leaders before finalising election timetables.
He stressed that sensitivity to religious obligations would strengthen public trust in the electoral process.
“We are major stakeholders in the electioneering process because we assist INEC in mobilising a large percentage of Muslims to perform their civic duties.
“We should be consulted before decisions that affect millions of Muslims are taken.
“INEC should have a rethink; the Muslim community is not asking for too much.
“After all, off-cycle elections are not fixed on Christmas or Easter days.
“Even elections held on weekends are never scheduled on Sundays out of respect for Christians. Why then should Muslims’ interest be disregarded?
“Shifting the election dates will not adversely affect INEC. Our complaint is in the national interest,” he said.
The Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Asiwaju Khamis Olatunde Badmus, appealed to INEC for a possible review of the dates within the framework of electoral law to enable the Nigerian Muslim Ummah observe the 2027 fasting and still be able to exercise their civic obligations without hardship.
The Publicity Secretary of the Concerned Muslim Yoruba Scholars in Nigeria, Abdulganiyu Olaide Ezra, said: “It will not augur well for Muslims to be dragged into the street, moving up and down, queuing in the sun, and the rain when they are supposed to be relaxing and focus on their act of worship to the almighty creator.
“INEC can fix the election before or after the period of Ramadan.”
An Osun State -based lawyer, Dele Abass, said: “There’s no law that I know that says elections cannot be held during Ramadan; not even in any Islamic country of the world.
“Can we now say that we would not go to work during Ramadan? What we are complaining about?
“The argument is not tenable. There is nothing people will not criticise.
“I’m a Muslim and a lawyer, and that is my humble opinion on this.
“INEC releases this timetable in strict compliance with the provisions of both the Constitution and the electoral laws which is superior to any other opini
Lagos–based lawyer Dr Tayo Douglas saw nothing wrong with the timing of the election.
He said: “If the excuse or complaint is having to do with Ramadan, are we saying that all Muslims have not been going to work or doing one thing or the other during Ramadan period?
“Why would the election dates be an exception this time around?
“INEC should go ahead and conduct the elections as fixed.”
Reps meet on Tuesday over election timetable
House of Representatives spokesman Rotimi said the Tuesday emergency sitting reflects the resolve of the House to respond promptly to issues with far-reaching implications for the nation’s democratic process.
He said the session would focus on relevant legislative matters connected to the announcement, in line with the constitutional responsibilities of the National Assembly.
He said all legislative business relating to the matter is expected to be addressed expeditiously, saying “Honourable Members have been strongly advised to prioritise attendance, given the importance of the issues under consideration.
“The House remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions through responsive and responsible lawmaking, and acting in the best interest of Nigerians on all matters.”
Intrigues as National Assembly Conference Committee meets
Ahead of the proposed meeting of the Conference Committee on Electoral Act tomorrow, both chambers of the National Assembly have intensified lobby to get adopted their version of the proposed clause 60(3) which deals with electronic transmission of election results.
While the House of Representatives approved real-time transmission of election results from polling unit to IReV, the Senate also approved it but deleted the word “real time” and added a proviso that if communication network fails, the Form EC8A would be used for collation and declaration of results.
Investigation revealed that while the 12 House members in the 24 member committee are standing on the version passed by the House, the Senate team would want the Senate’s version adopted.
An opposition Senator has openly aligned with the House by calling on the conference committee to adopt the version of Clause 60(3) on real time electronic transmission of election results to IReV.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja last week, Senator Seriake Dickson asked the conference committee members to “go into that conference and adopt the House version. You should adopt the House version in its entirety.”
He described the House version as a reflection of the consensus reached by the joint committees of the National Assembly, consultants and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“That version was what the joint committees and all of us, consultants and even INEC itself assured us at the community interaction level of their capacity to transmit electronically,” he said.
In the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, Clause 60(3) regulates how results from polling units are transmitted and collated.
The House of Representatives version mandates electronic transmission of results from polling units in real time, making e-transmission compulsory.
The Senate version, although it also adopted electronic transmission, introduced a proviso allowing manual transmission where technology fails, raising concerns among stakeholders about potential manipulation.
Dickson criticised the Senate proviso, saying it weakened the clarity and potency of the agreed framework.
“A very crucial clause… was deliberated upon and agreed unanimously at the joint committee level but was rejected and instead a similar clause with less potency and clarity in the previous law was brought back,” he said.
He warned that manual transmission could create loopholes for electoral manipulation.
“Manipulation of election results and the distortion of the mandates of the people occur not only at the polling stations but crucially more at the collation centres,” he said.
Dickson said electronic transmission would ensure transparency by making results publicly available immediately after polling.
“Once the polls close, the figures are already there on the IReV. That’s very important and that’s why the issue of electronic transmission being mandatory everybody is talking about it,” he said.
A member of the House Committee on Electoral Matters who would not want his name in print said the House was moving for the adoption of its recommended clauses in the Electoral Act including the controversial clause 60 (3).
House Spokesman, Akintunde Rotimi, said the emergency sitting will review matters arising from the recent announcement of the 2027 General Election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as the constitutional and national significance of the development and the need for timely legislative consideration.
