Senate Revises Electoral Timeline, Slashes Notice Period to Avert Ramadan Clash in 2027 Polls

Senate Revises Electoral Timeline, Slashes Notice Period to Avert Ramadan Clash in 2027 Polls

By Barth Ikiebe

The Nigerian Senate has amended the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, reducing the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days, effectively opening a new window for the next general election.

The amendment to Clause 28, approved on Tuesday during clause-by-clause consideration of the reworked bill, grants the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) greater flexibility to schedule presidential and National Assembly elections between late December 2026 and January 2027.

Under the revised provision, INEC is now required to publish notice of elections “not later than 300 days before the day appointed for holding of an election,” a shift from the previous 360-day requirement. The notice must specify the election date and designate locations for the submission of nomination papers across all States and the Federal Capital Territory.

The change followed a motion for rescission and recommittal moved by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who said a post-passage review revealed that the earlier 360-day timeline could inadvertently push the 2027 elections into the holy month of Ramadan.

Bamidele warned that such a timing could adversely affect voter turnout, logistical arrangements, stakeholder engagement, and the overall credibility and inclusiveness of the electoral process.

He noted that the adjustment was necessary to accommodate religious sensitivities and ensure a more seamless exercise.

The Senate also addressed several technical inconsistencies within the bill. These include corrections to the Long Title and amendments to multiple clauses—6, 9, 10, 22, 23, 28, 29, 32, 42, 47, 51, 60, 62, 64, 65, 73, 77, 86, 87, 89, 93, and 143—covering issues such as cross-referencing, serial numbering, and internal coherence.

The legislative action comes against the backdrop of an earlier tentative timetable by INEC, which had scheduled the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections for February 2027, a period that coincides with Ramadan.

That proposed date sparked consultations between the electoral body and the leadership of the National Assembly, amid growing concerns from some Muslim stakeholders over the potential impact on participation and election-day logistics.

Originally passed earlier in February 2026, the Electoral Act Amendment Bill had undergone several revisions, including earlier proposals to reduce timelines to 180 days. However, the Senate’s latest decision reflects a more measured 60-day reduction, striking a balance between operational efficiency and socio-religious considerations.

With the amendment, attention now shifts to how INEC will recalibrate its timetable.(www.amatropics.com)