The Islamic human rights group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has rejected the 2027 general election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it as “exclusive, insensitive and provocative” for scheduling the polls during the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, alleged that the electoral body “presumed there are no Muslims in Nigeria” by fixing all major election dates within the Islamic fasting period.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, had on Friday in Abuja unveiled the timetable for the 2027 elections. According to the schedule, presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 20, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections are slated for March 6, 2027.
MURIC noted that Ramadan in 2027 is projected to begin around February 8 and end about March 10, meaning both election dates fall squarely within the fasting period observed by Muslims worldwide.
Akintola described the development as unprecedented, alleging that it could disenfranchise Muslim voters and place undue hardship on Muslim electoral officials, observers and security personnel who would be observing the fast.
He argued that conducting elections during Ramadan could negatively affect voter turnout among Muslims, citing the physical demands of fasting and the rigorous nature of election day activities, particularly for security agencies and INEC ad hoc staff who often begin duties in the early hours of the morning.
The group further questioned whether Muslim members of INEC’s timetable committee or staff were consulted before the dates were finalised, saying the move undermines inclusivity in a religiously plural society like Nigeria.
MURIC also accused the INEC chairman of failing to consult predecessors on the need to avoid scheduling major national exercises during significant religious observances.
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While expressing hope that the commission would reconsider the timetable, the organisation warned that ignoring appeals from Islamic bodies could heighten tensions ahead of the 2027 polls.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC had not issued any official response to MURIC’s objections.
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