The Action Democratic Party has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to review its announced timetable for the 2027 general elections to avoid clashing with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the party said in a statement.
The Independent National Electoral Commission announced that general elections for the presidency and National Assembly in 2027 will take place on February 20 and the governorship and state assembly elections on March 6, a schedule set in accordance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
The 2027 election dates fall within a period projected for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to run from early February to early March 2027.
The ADP’s request reflects comments from political stakeholders about the possible overlap of the electoral timetable with Ramadan, though INEC has said its schedule complies with current legal frameworks.
In a statement titled “On the Need for INEC’s Review of the Election Timetable in Deference to Ramadan,” the ADP National Chairman, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, welcomed INEC’s announcement that it had begun preliminary steps to realign the previously released election timetable.
The ADP said it appreciated that INEC was considering the legal and constitutional process for adjusting the timetable and noted that the election schedule must comply with both the law and social realities.
In the statement, the ADP said the scheduling of national elections during a major religious observance could have implications for voter participation, logistical coordination and inclusivity across Nigeria’s diverse society.
The party encouraged INEC to continue consultations with stakeholders to ensure that the final timetable supports maximum voter turnout and stability.
By urging INEC to review the election timetable, the ADP has highlighted considerations about public participation in a plural and multi-faith Nigerian society. The request suggests that some political actors are engaging with timetable concerns as part of broader electoral preparations.
INEC’s timetable, issued in line with constitutional provisions, sets a legal framework for election planning, but the call for review reflects an ongoing dialogue among political parties and the electoral body about scheduling and inclusivity.
Stakeholder engagement on election dates may influence how political parties prepare for primaries, campaigns and public mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
