Our hands are tied, INEC reacts as calls grow to alter elections dates
The Independent National Electoral Commission (NEC) has said its hands were tied to shift the elections dates as advocated by Islamic faithful.
The electoral body maintained that fixing of dates for election is constitutional mandate, saying this was taken into consideration before the dates were arrived at.
The calls for shift have been amplified by the fact the dates for both presidential and governorship elections fall within the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to commence on February 8, 2027, and end around March 10, 2027, according to the 1448 AH Islamic calenda.
Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, on Friday, announced at a press conference in Abuja that the presidential and national assembly elections would be held on February 20, 2027, and the governorship and state assembly elections will be held on March 6, 2027.
The commission also set the dates for party primaries from May 22 to June 20, 2026, to choose candidates for the nomination.
He said the dates were fixed in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
This made some Nigerians, including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, to raise concerns about the date of the general election, saying that the physical challenges of fasting could affect how many people vote, and might also slow down the work of people watching the elections and those in charge of running them.
Reacting, Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, asked the commission to think again about the February 20, 2027 date, because he was worried it would clash with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
On Friday, through his official X account, Atiku stressed that the suggested date is “right in the middle of the Ramadan period (February 7 to March 8, 2027), a special time for fasting, thinking, and spiritual practice for many Nigerian Muslims.”
Bashir Ahmad, who used to work closely with late former president Muhammadu Buhari, also asked INEC to think again about the dates.
He tagged INEC on his X post, which partly said: “If the goal is to promote full and inclusive involvement in the election process, holding such an important national event during Ramadan could create difficulties for many people in the country.
“Many Muslims often cut back on busy daily tasks during this time so they can focus more on their religious duties. Because there are a lot of Muslims in this country, it might be a good idea to think again about when something happens so that more people can take part and it’s easier for everyone. I hope this observation is understood in a way that promotes unity and brings people together.”
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.
The revered Islamic scholar called on 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.
However, INEC, through a statement from the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said it was a constitutional issue which could be resolved through amendment.
He said the schedule was created carefully following the time frames set out in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Conducting Elections, 2022.
Haruna said that the INEC regulations and guidelines for conducting elections, which have been in place since 2019, set the dates when elections are to be held.
He quoted paragraph two of the regulation, which says: “The elections for the offices of President and Vice President, as well as the National Assembly, will take place on the third Saturday of February in any general election year. The elections for the offices of Governor and Deputy Governor, as well as the State Houses of Assembly, will happen two weeks after that.”
He added, “Based on this, and following these existing laws and rules carefully, the Commission set Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.”
The Commission said it has acknowledged the worries raised by stakeholders about the planned dates overlapping with some nationally recognized holidays and events.
The Commission said it wants to let the public know that it is aware of all valid worries that could affect how people vote and how elections are run in general.
He said that because of these changes, “the Commission is now talking to different groups and might, if needed, ask for legal changes to deal with the issues raised, but always making sure any changes follow the laws and the constitution.”
INEC said it would continue to emphasise its strong dedication to being open, fair, and ensuring the 2027 General Election is conducted honestly and reliably.
“The public will be kept up to date on any new information that comes up,” the statement added.
