The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reconsider its proposed timetable for the 2027 general elections, raising concerns that the schedule coincides with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement released on Sunday, the organization said its position was guided by “faith and fairness,” clarifying that it was not opposed to democratic elections but was seeking inclusivity in the planning process. MPAC argued that holding nationwide polls during Ramadan — a period when millions of Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset — could pose avoidable difficulties for voters and election 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.
According to the group, fasting under intense heat conditions, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria, could compound the physical demands typically associated with elections, such as long queues, delayed voting processes, and logistical challenges.
While reaffirming that voting is a civic duty, MPAC maintained that public institutions must ensure no group is placed at a structural disadvantage in carrying out that responsibility.
The organization referenced a 2003 instance when INEC adjusted its election timetable after concerns from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) over a clash with Easter observances. MPAC described that decision as widely regarded as sensitive and statesmanlike.
It also cited the Joint Council for Qualifications in the United Kingdom, noting that the body has taken steps in recent years to minimize conflicts between major public examinations and Ramadan.
MPAC further stressed the importance of public confidence in INEC’s neutrality, stating that perceptions surrounding the Commission’s chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, make it imperative for the electoral body to reinforce impartiality and inclusiveness in its decisions.
The group warned that significantly lower voter turnout in Muslim-majority areas due to fasting could amount to indirect disenfranchisement. It called for the election timetable to be adjusted to fall outside Ramadan, urged engagement with religious and civil society stakeholders, and sought assurances that no religious community would face disproportionate hardship in fulfilling civic obligations.