In a move that officially sets the country’s democratic machinery in motion, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the comprehensive timetable for Nigeria’s 2023 general elections. As announced by INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu during a press briefing in Abuja, the presidential and National Assembly elections will take place on Saturday, February 25, 2023, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, March 11, 2023.
This announcement provides clarity to political parties, civil society groups, and the general public as Nigeria prepares for what promises to be one of the most closely watched elections in its democratic history. The 2023 elections are expected to mark the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s second and final term, paving the way for new national leadership.
Key Dates and Activities in the Electoral Calendar
According to the schedule published by INEC, the electoral process officially began with the publication of the notice of election on February 28, 2022. From there, a series of constitutionally backed activities and deadlines were outlined:
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Party primaries and the resolution of internal disputes were required to be completed between April 4 and June 3, 2022.
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Political parties were expected to submit candidate lists for national elections (President, Senate, House of Representatives) between June 10 and June 17, 2022.
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For state-level positions (governors and state assembly members), the candidate nomination period ran from July 1 to July 15, 2022.
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Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections were permitted to commence from September 28, 2022, and conclude 24 hours before the February 25 election.
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Governorship and state assembly campaigns began on October 12, 2022, ending on March 9, 2023.
INEC emphasized that these dates align with the newly enacted Electoral Act 2022, which provides a legal framework to improve the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s electoral system.
INEC Urges Political Parties to Observe Deadlines
While unveiling the schedule, Professor Yakubu appealed to all political parties to strictly comply with the stipulated timelines. He stressed that late submissions, substitution of candidates outside the legal window, or failure to follow the commission’s procedures would not be tolerated.
“The 2023 general election is an important national assignment. The Commission is committed to ensuring that it is conducted in a professional, transparent, and credible manner,” Yakubu stated. “We call on all political actors to play by the rules, respect the calendar, and avoid any actions that may compromise the electoral process.”
He further noted that the early release of the timetable was aimed at giving political parties and stakeholders sufficient time to prepare and meet all legal obligations without pressure or manipulation.
Electoral Act 2022 Brings Significant Reforms
The Electoral Act 2022, signed into law by President Buhari on February 25, 2022, introduced far-reaching reforms designed to enhance the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system. Among the most notable provisions are:
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Electronic transmission of results from polling units, a major departure from manual collation processes previously used.
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Early release of election schedules, allowing for better planning and monitoring.
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Legal backing for electronic voter accreditation, including the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
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Extension of the deadline for party primaries, ensuring internal democracy within political parties.
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Increased transparency in campaign finance tracking, with penalties for financial misconduct.
With the new law in place, the 2023 elections are widely seen as a critical test of the country’s readiness to embrace technology-driven democracy and reduce electoral malpractice.
Presidential Election to Feature First-Time and Veteran Contenders
With the presidential election set for February 25, 2023, the stage has been set for a diverse field of contenders. Already, political heavyweights and emerging figures have declared their intentions to run, including:
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Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a former Vice President and repeat presidential candidate.
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader and former governor of Lagos State.
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Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor, now contesting under the Labour Party banner after defecting from the PDP.
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Candidates from smaller parties such as the African Action Congress (AAC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and others are also expected to join the race.
The diversity of candidates reflects growing public interest in leadership renewal and accountability. The 2023 elections are anticipated to engage a broader cross-section of Nigerian voters, especially the youth population, many of whom are actively participating in voter registration and civic engagement initiatives.
Voter Registration and PVC Collection Deadlines
INEC also reminded Nigerians of the importance of voter registration and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection as part of the electoral preparations. The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which began in June 2021, was extended several times to accommodate the surge in public interest.
By the end of the CVR window in July 2022, INEC had registered over 12 million new voters, pushing the total number of registered voters in Nigeria past 96 million, the highest in the country’s history. The Commission subsequently announced nationwide distribution of PVCs to ensure that eligible voters can participate fully in the elections.
INEC urged citizens to collect their PVCs early and verify their information to avoid delays or disenfranchisement on election day.
Security, Logistics, and Election Integrity
As part of its preparation, INEC revealed ongoing collaborations with security agencies under the umbrella of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). These efforts aim to mitigate violence, safeguard electoral materials, and ensure the protection of voters and officials during the elections.
In addition, the Commission reiterated its commitment to election transparency, including the live publication of results via its INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), a digital tool that gained public trust during the Edo and Anambra State governorship elections.
INEC assured Nigerians and international observers that it would remain impartial and would enforce the rules without favor.
Civil Society and International Bodies Welcome Timetable
Civil society organizations, democracy advocates, and international partners such as the European Union, United Nations, and ECOWAS welcomed the early release of the election timetable, noting that it allows for robust monitoring and voter education.
Groups like YIAGA Africa, Situation Room, and CLEEN Foundation commended INEC for its transparency and called on political parties to uphold internal democracy during their primaries and to refrain from hate speech and vote-buying during the campaigns.
Conclusion: Countdown to 2023 Begins
With the official schedule in place and campaign activities gradually intensifying, Nigeria now enters the final stretch toward one of its most consequential elections in recent memory. The 2023 general elections not only represent a transition of power but also a test of Nigeria’s democratic maturity, the credibility of its institutions, and the voice of its people.
All eyes will remain fixed on INEC and political actors as the nation braces for an electoral process that could shape its destiny for years to come.
