Senate Cuts Election Notice Period from 360 to 300 Days to Avoid Ramadan Clash

The Senate has passed an amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, reducing the mandatory notice period for general elections from 360 days to 300 days, in a bid to prevent the 2027 polls from overlapping with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

The motion to revisit and recommit the bill was introduced by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who raised concerns that the previous 360-day window could force the Independent National Electoral Commission to schedule elections during Ramadan.

Bamidele argued that holding elections during the fasting period might negatively affect voter turnout, logistics, stakeholder participation, and the overall inclusiveness of the process.

Under the amended Clause 28, INEC is now required to issue election notices no later than 300 days before the poll, clearly specifying the election date and nomination procedures.

INEC had earlier fixed February 20, 2027, for presidential and National Assembly elections, and March 6, 2027, for governorship and state assembly polls.

Simon Lalong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, clarified that the announced dates were based on a long-standing electoral timetable developed under former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu and were not intentionally set to coincide with Ramadan.

The amendment was passed after the Senate invoked its standing orders to expedite consideration of the bill.