Olawunmi Ajibike
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting credible, transparent, and technology-driven elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made this known at the 2026 Citizens’ Townhall on the Electoral Act in Abuja, stressing that electoral integrity remains central to national development and global confidence.
He said Nigeria is determined to reshape global perceptions through strong institutional performance under the 2026 Electoral Act. Recalling an academic conference at Washington University in St. Louis, Amupitan noted that Nigeria was largely discussed in the context of electoral fraud and cybercrime.
“As the only Nigerian present, I presented a narrative rooted in resilience, reform, and national potential,” he said, adding that perspectives shifted by the end of the engagement — reinforcing the need for Nigeria to project a positive image through credible institutions.
Describing democracy as the foundation of legitimacy and development, he quoted former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln: “The ballot is stronger than the bullet.”
According to him, free, fair, and transparent elections are vital instruments for stability, investor confidence, and long-term growth.
On the 2026 Electoral Act, Amupitan said INEC played an active role in the nearly three-year multi-stakeholder reform process involving the National Assembly, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and other stakeholders. He emphasized that clarity and accessibility were key objectives of the legislation.
“In a diverse country like Nigeria, electoral laws must be simple, precise, and understandable,” he said.
Addressing debates on electronic transmission of results, the INEC Chairman explained that infrastructure challenges — not unwillingness — accounted for isolated delays. He cited the recent Federal Capital Territory Area Council election, where results were declared in five of six councils.
He said difficult terrain and network limitations delayed real-time upload in Kuje Area Council, particularly in Karshi Ward.
“The delay was logistical, not systemic. Transmission did not fail. The issue was timing, not integrity,” he stated.
Amupitan added that the Electoral Act provides safeguards to ensure proper transmission and collation of results.
He identified logistics as critical to credible elections, listing timely voting, peaceful conduct, effective result management, and transparent declaration as key benchmarks. While acknowledging infrastructural and human challenges, he said institutional learning and reforms are ongoing.
“Perfection is our aspiration, but continuous improvement is our obligation,” he said.
Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, Amupitan said they offered valuable lessons on scaling electoral technology nationwide. He noted that technological systems performed effectively in some sub-national polls, including the Osun State governorship election.
However, he admitted that nationwide deployment during the presidential election exposed stress-capacity limitations in some systems.
Preparations for 2027, he said, will include nationwide stress-testing of technology, infrastructure reinforcement, and scenario-based simulations.
He expressed confidence that the 2027 general election would mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
“Nigeria in 2027 is more aware, more engaged, and more determined,” he said, adding that credible elections are directly linked to development, stability, and global respect.
According to him, when citizens trust the electoral process, leadership legitimacy increases and governance improves.
“Nigeria deserves elections that inspire trust at home and command confidence abroad. That is our commitment,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, raised concerns over whether the 2026 Electoral Act would strengthen democratic credibility or leave room for manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Itodo acknowledged that the Act introduces provisions to improve electoral administration, including clearer voter accreditation rules, electronic transmission of results, defined timelines for results management, and a digital register for political party primaries to enhance transparency in candidate selection.
However, he warned that certain clauses could weaken institutional safeguards if not properly implemented, particularly provisions perceived to affect INEC’s financial independence. He also pointed to possible loopholes in electoral dispute resolution and results collation processes.
“Democracy is not self-executing; it requires guardians — and the citizens of this great country are the guardians we need,” he said.
“If the Electoral Act 2026 is to succeed, it must deepen trust, not dilute it. It must block avenues for manipulation rather than create new ones.”