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INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan promises 2027 will be Nigeria’s most credible election.
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Electoral Act 2026 reforms to strengthen electronic transmission and transparency.
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Extensive stress-testing planned to avoid 2023 result transmission glitches.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the 2027 general elections will be the most credible and transparent in the country’s history.
Speaking at a Citizens’ Town Hall Meeting themed “What It Means for Your Vote and the 2027 Elections,” organised by the Civil Society Network on Electoral Integrity, Amupitan described the Electoral Act 2026 as a transformative legal framework aimed at restoring public trust and strengthening democratic legitimacy.
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The Act, signed into law on February 18 after a three-year consultative process involving the National Assembly, civil society groups, and INEC, introduces far-reaching reforms, particularly in electronic result transmission and election management.
Amupitan commended civic groups for deepening voter awareness, stressing that informed participation remains central to democratic consolidation. Quoting former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, he said, “The ballot is more powerful than the bullet,” warning that voter ignorance poses risks to national stability.
Addressing 2023 Challenges
Responding to concerns over technical glitches that affected result transmission during the 2023 presidential election, the INEC chairman said lessons had been learned.
He disclosed that although devices were tested in off-cycle state elections, they were not fully stress-tested for nationwide deployment. Extensive system testing, he assured, will precede the 2027 polls to guarantee seamless inter-state transmission.
“Glitches have been eliminated. By God’s grace, they will not surface again,” he stated.
Electronic Transmission and Logistics
Amupitan identified strengthened provisions for electronic transmission as a key highlight of the new law, noting that INEC pushed for mandatory digital uploads during legislative deliberations.
However, he cautioned against unrealistic expectations of instant uploads, citing network limitations experienced even within the Federal Capital Territory, including delays recorded in Kabir Ward, Kuje Area Council.
He likened the process to mobile banking transactions, where confirmation may be delayed due to network congestion despite immediate initiation.
Despite these constraints, he maintained that transmission capacity would be significantly enhanced before 2027.
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Credibility and National Development
The INEC chairman emphasised that logistics remain critical to credible elections, outlining timely commencement, peaceful conduct, and transparent result management as key benchmarks.
He acknowledged minor lapses during recent FCT polls but said corrective steps were already underway.
Linking electoral credibility to national development, Amupitan stressed that investor confidence and institutional strength depend on public trust in the electoral process.
“When people trust INEC and their leaders, the country moves forward,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment, he concluded that with a stronger legal framework and a more informed electorate, the 2027 elections would set a new benchmark for Nigeria’s democracy.
