19th Feb. 2014 – The tenure of office of the President, Vice President, Governor and Deputy Governors of all the States of the Federation except Anambra, Bayelsa, Kogi, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun States and the membership of the National and State Assemblies will expire on the 28th May 2015. Consequently the earliest date for elections into the offices shall be 29th December 2014 and the latest date for the elections shall be 28th day of April, 2015.
By virtue of the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), elections into the said offices shall not hold earlier than One Hundred and Fifty (150) days and not later than Thirty (30) days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder. The Commission is by virtue of Section 30(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) expected to issue Notice for the election not later than Ninety (90) days before the date of the election. The implications of the above provisions are stated below:
In exercise of the power conferred on the Independent National Electoral Commission (hereinafter to as “the commission”) by the Electoral Act 2010(as amended) and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf. The commission hereby issues this Time Table and Schedule of Activities for General Elections, 2015:
| S/N |
ACTIVITY |
DATE |
REMARK |
| 1 | Notice of election | 1st October, 2014 | Section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) provides not later than 90 days before the election. |
| 2 | Commencement of campaign of Political Parties | Presidential & National Assembly- 16th November, 2014Governorship & State House of Assembly- 30th November, 2014 | Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) provides 90 days before polling day. |
| 3 | Collection of Forms for all elections by Political Parties at INEC Headquarters. | 4th – 11th November, 2014 | For Political Parties to issue their candidates. |
| 4 | Conduct of Party Primaries including resolution of disputes arising from the Primaries. | Commencement date- 2nd October, 2014End- 11th December, 2014 | To enable Political Parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) |
| 5 | Last day for submission of Forms CF001 and CF002 at the INEC Headquarters (for all elections) | Presidential & National Assembly- 18th December, 2014Governorship & State House of Assembly- 25th December, 2014 | Section 31(1) of the Electoral act, 2010 (as amended) provides for not later 60 days before the election. |
| 6 | Publication of Personal Particulars of candidates (CF001) (for all elections). | Presidential & National Assembly- 25th December, 2014Governorship & State House of Assembly-1st January, 2015 | Section 31(3) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) provides for publication within 7 days of the receipt of form CF001 |
| 7 | Last day for withdrawal by candidate(s)/replacement of withdrawn candidate(s) by Political Parties. | Presidential & National Assembly- 30th December, 2014Governorship & State House of Assembly- 13th January, 2015 | Section 35 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) provides for not later than 45 days before the election. |
| 8 | Last day for the submission of Nomination forms by Political Parties. | Presidential & National Assembly- 6th January, 2015Governorship & State House of Assembly- 20th January, 2015 | Sections 32, 37, 38 and 39 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). (Commission to appoint time for submission). |
| 9 | Publication of official Register of voters for the election. | 13th January, 2015 | Section 20 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) provides not later than 30 days before the election. |
| 10 | Publication of list of nominated candidates | Presidential & National Assembly- 13th January, 2015Governorship & State House of Assembly- 27th January, 2015 | Section 34 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) provides at least 30 days before the day of election |
| 11 | Publication of Notice of Poll (for all elections) | 28th January, 2015 | Section 46 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) provides not later than 14 days before the election. |
| 12 | Submission of names of Party Agents for the election to the Electoral Officer of the Local Government Areas or Area Councils | Presidential & National Assembly – 29th January, 2015Governorship & State House of Assembly- 12th February, 2015 | Sector 45 of the electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) provides not later than 7 days before the election. |
| 13 | Last day for campaigns | Presidential & National Assembly- 12th February, 2015Governorship & State House of Assembly- 26th February, 2015 | Section 99(1) of the Electoral act, 2010 (as amended) prohibits Advertisements or broadcasts of campaigns 24 hours prior to the day of election. |
| 14 |
Dates of Elections National Assembly/ Presidential/ Governorship/ State House of Assembly |
Presidential & National Assembly- 14th February, 2015Governorship & State House of Assembly- 28th February, 2015 | Section 25 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), provides that Commission to appoint date not earlier than 150 days but not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office. |
Note: (1) Run off election to the office of President Governor of a state (if any) will be held within 7 days after the announcement of the result of the election in accordance to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)
Mrs Augusta C. Ogakwu
Secretary to the commission.