The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reconsider its proposed timetable for the 2027 general elections, citing concerns that the schedule coincides with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, MPAC said its appeal was rooted in “faith and fairness,” not opposition to the democratic process.
The group argued that conducting nationwide elections during Ramadan, a period of obligatory fasting observed by millions of Muslims, could pose challenges for voters and electoral officials.
“Ramadan is not a symbolic ritual. It is a compulsory act of worship that demands physical endurance, spiritual discipline, and heightened devotion,” the statement read.
It noted that fasting from dawn to sunset, particularly under intense heat conditions in parts of northern Nigeria, could compound the physical demands already associated with elections, including long queues and logistical delays.
MPAC maintained that participation in elections is a civic responsibility but stressed that government institutions must ensure no segment of the population faces structural disadvantages in exercising that duty.
The group referenced a precedent from 2003, when INEC adjusted its timetable following objections from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria over a clash with Easter observances.
According to MPAC, the decision at the time was widely regarded as a demonstration of sensitivity and statesmanship.
Drawing international comparisons, MPAC also cited the Joint Council for Qualifications in the United Kingdom, which has taken steps in recent years to minimise scheduling conflicts between major public examinations and Ramadan.
The statement further emphasised the importance of public trust in INEC’s neutrality. It noted that perceptions surrounding the Commission’s chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, had heightened the need for decisions that reinforce impartiality and inclusiveness.
“A modest shift in dates to avoid the Ramadan period does not violate any constitutional provision. Rather, it affirms Nigeria’s commitment to inclusion and equity,” MPAC said, warning that lower voter turnout in Muslim-majority areas due to fasting constraints could amount to indirect disenfranchisement.
The organisation outlined three key requests, calling for the adjustment of the 2027 election timetable to fall outside Ramadan, engagement with religious and civil society stakeholders, and assurance that no religious group bears disproportionate hardship in fulfilling civic responsibilities.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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