2027 Elections: INEC Must Issue Poll Notice 360 Days Ahead, Nwankwo Insists

Policy expert warns delays in Electoral Bill threaten certainty, urges National Assembly to act fast

Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is legally required to give notice of elections at least 360 days before polling day, the Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, has said.

Nwankwo made the assertion on Wednesday while responding to questions during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, as debates intensify over preparations for the 2027 general elections.

He stressed that delays in passing amendments to the Electoral Act could undermine proper planning, warning that time is running out for critical reforms needed ahead of the polls.

According to him, certainty in electoral laws is not optional but a core requirement backed by Nigeria’s legal framework and international obligations.

“We need time for preparation for the election. Certain provisions in the electoral laws and legal framework — including international instruments like ECOWAS protocols, the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act — emphasise the need for certainty,” Nwankwo said.

He noted that both the Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act clearly mandate INEC to issue election notices 360 days before elections, adding that the provision remains valid and unambiguous.

“When you look at the Constitution and the Electoral Act, it’s quite clear that notice of election must be given 360 days ahead. Those 360 days are still provided for in the 2022 Electoral Act, so that is not in dispute,” he explained.

However, Nwankwo pointed out that beyond the timeline itself, several formal announcements and procedural steps must be clearly defined and communicated once the notice is issued.

On the role of lawmakers, he said the National Assembly must treat electoral reforms as a priority, even as he acknowledged ongoing legislative efforts.

“There are announcements, pronouncements and stipulations that must accompany that notice. I must say the National Assembly has been fantastic so far. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives are already engaged in deliberations, reviews and conversations, and they do have a working document,” he said.

The comments come amid growing calls from civil society groups and election observers for early clarity on the rules governing the 2027 polls, as Nigeria seeks to strengthen confidence in its democratic process.