The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released a comprehensive electoral timetable covering the 2025 and 2026 periods, featuring five major elections and the nationwide resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement on Tuesday during the second quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The meeting also marked the formal welcome of two new National Commissioners—Professor Sunday Aja and Abdulrazak Yusuf—as well as six newly appointed RECs attending their first session.
According to a statement released on INEC’s official X handle, the electoral body is preparing for a packed schedule, with critical elections across multiple states.
Key Dates from the New Timetable:
• Bye-elections in 12 States: August 16, 2025
• Anambra State Governorship Election: November 8, 2025
• FCT Area Council Elections: February 21, 2026
• Ekiti State Governorship Election: June 20, 2026
• Osun State Governorship Election: August 8, 2026
Professor Yakubu also announced the nationwide resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise. Online pre-registration will begin on August 18, 2025, while in-person registration will follow on August 25, 2025, across the country.
However, in Anambra State—where gubernatorial elections are just months away—the CVR will commence earlier next week, taking place simultaneously in all 326 wards. The early start is to ensure compliance with the legal requirement to conclude voter registration at least 90 days before the election.
Regulatory Updates and Internal Expectations
Addressing ambiguities surrounding Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022—particularly regarding the review of election results—Yakubu disclosed that the Commission is finalising supplementary regulations and guidelines to provide clarity on the issue. These documents are expected to be uploaded to INEC’s official platforms within the week for public access.
The INEC Chairman used the meeting to stress the proactive role expected of RECs in implementing policy and procedures, warning against overdependence on directives from the headquarters.
“I wish to remind you that your work does not begin as the General Election approaches. You are full-time Commissioners,” Yakubu said. “You can only effectively discharge your responsibilities when you are knowledgeable and committed.”
The high-level consultative session followed prior engagements with political parties, civil society organisations, media stakeholders, and election security agencies. The objective, according to Yakubu, is to address feedback from these engagements and strategise for a more efficient and credible electoral process across Nigeria.
The new timetable signals INEC’s intent to enhance transparency and readiness ahead of the next cycle of elections, amid growing public scrutiny and demands for electoral reforms.
