INEC Assures Equal Voting Access Amid Ramadan Concerns Over 2027 Poll Dates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that it will ensure fair and equal access to voting in the 2027 general elections, amid concerns that the scheduled dates coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

INEC had earlier announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections would be held on February 20, 2027, while the governorship and state House of Assembly elections are slated for March 6, 2027.

The commission also fixed May 22 to June 20, 2026, for political parties to conduct their primaries.

However, some Nigerians, particularly Muslims, have expressed concern that the February 20 date falls within Ramadan, a period of fasting, prayer and reflection, which is expected to run from February 7 to March 8, 2027.

They argued that the physical demands of fasting could affect voter turnout, as well as the performance of election officials and observers.

A former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, urged INEC to reconsider the date. In a post on his official X account on Friday, Atiku noted that the proposed date falls “right in the middle of the Ramadan period,” describing it as a special time for spiritual devotion for many Nigerian Muslims.

Similarly, Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to late President Muhammadu Buhari, called on the commission to review the timetable. In a post on X, he stated that holding such a major national event during Ramadan could pose challenges for many citizens.

“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,” he wrote, urging consideration of a date that would allow broader participation.

Responding in a statement, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the timetable was carefully drawn in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022.

Haruna explained that the regulations, in place since 2019, stipulate that presidential and National Assembly elections are to be held on the third Saturday of February in a general election year, while governorship and state assembly elections are to follow two weeks later.

“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,” he stated.

He added that while the Commission stands by the legal framework guiding its actions, it has acknowledged the concerns raised about the overlap with nationally recognised religious observances.

According to him, INEC is engaging with relevant stakeholders and may, if necessary, seek legal adjustments to address the issues raised, provided any changes remain within constitutional and statutory provisions.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fairness and credibility in the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

“The public will be kept up to date on any new information that comes up,” the statement added.