The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has cautioned Nigerians against expecting flawless elections in 2027, even as he assured that the commission possesses the capacity to electronically transmit election results nationwide.
Speaking during the Citizens’ Town Hall programme aired live on major television networks on Sunday, Amupitan said while INEC is committed to delivering credible polls, achieving a “100 per cent perfect election” remains unrealistic for now.
The programme, themed “Electoral Act 2026: What it Means for Your Votes and the 2027 Elections,” featured key political stakeholders, including APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Labour Party Interim National Chairman Nenadi Usman, former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili, Senator Ireti Kingibe, and civil society representatives.
Electronic transmission assured — but not always real-time
Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s readiness to transmit election results electronically, explaining that the real challenge lies not in transmission itself but in achieving real-time uploads in difficult terrains.
“INEC will strive as much as possible to give this country the best election. However, we may not be able to achieve a 100 per cent perfect election for now,” he said.
According to him, network adequacy and logistics — particularly in remote areas — remain major operational hurdles.
He cited the recent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, where results from Kabi ward in Kuje Area Council were delayed due to poor terrain and communication challenges.
INEC officials reportedly lost phone connectivity upon entering the community, forcing the commission to physically retrieve results before collation could be completed the following day.
“Your election can be as good as your logistics. Where there is logistics failure, you know that you are beginning to fail,” Amupitan noted.
Electoral credibility tied to voter awareness
The INEC chairman described elections as the “lifeblood of democracy,” stressing that voter education and institutional transparency are critical to credible outcomes.
Quoting Abraham Lincoln, he said the ballot remains more powerful than violence, warning that voter ignorance poses risks to national security.
Amupitan disclosed that INEC played an active role in shaping provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, including pushing for mandatory electronic transmission of results during legislative deliberations.
INEC begins regulatory overhaul ahead of 2027
Meanwhile, INEC has launched a comprehensive review of its political party regulations as part of broader electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to a statement by the chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, the exercise aims to:
- strengthen oversight of political parties,
- improve compliance culture,
- reduce pre-election disputes, and
- enhance public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The review involves national commissioners, legal experts, election administrators, and institutional stakeholders conducting a clause-by-clause assessment of the 2022 regulatory framework to align it with the Electoral Act 2026.
INEC identified recurring challenges such as opaque party primaries, weak financial disclosures, membership disputes, and exclusionary participation as major causes of electoral litigation.
Push for stronger political parties
Amupitan stressed that credible elections depend not only on electoral management bodies but also on transparent political parties.
“For elections to inspire public confidence, the institutions that produce candidates must themselves operate transparently and within the law,” he said.
Technical support for the reform process is being provided by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, which described the initiative as a step toward rebuilding Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
Parties rush to meet new digital requirements
Following provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, political parties have begun nationwide digital membership registration exercises.
- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commenced a three-week electronic membership registration on Monday.
- The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched free nationwide online registration and member revalidation.
- The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to reopen its e-registration portal to accommodate more members.
Under the revised electoral timetable, parties must submit verified digital membership registers to INEC by April 2, 2026.
Updated 2027 election dates
INEC earlier revised the election schedule following concerns that initial dates coincided with the Ramadan period.
The new timetable fixes:
- Presidential and National Assembly elections: January 16, 2027
- Governorship and State Assembly elections: February 6, 2027
Despite acknowledged challenges, Amupitan expressed optimism that growing voter awareness and institutional reforms would make the 2027 polls Nigeria’s best yet.
“When people trust elections and their leaders, the country will move forward,” he said.
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