…INEC chairman said the commission would strive to deliver its best but could not promise absolute perfection.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the commission possesses the capacity to electronically transmit election results in 2027, though he cautioned that a “100 per cent perfect election” cannot be guaranteed.
Amupitan gave the assurance on Sunday during the Citizens’ Town Hall programme titled ‘Electoral Act 2026: What it means for your votes and the 2027 elections’, aired live on major television networks. The session was anchored by Seun Okinbaloye alongside the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo.
Among those present were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda; the Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman; former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili; and Senator Ireti Kingibe.
Appealing for realistic expectations, the INEC chairman said the commission would strive to deliver its best but could not promise absolute perfection.
He reiterated that INEC has the infrastructure to transmit results electronically, noting that the major concern remains defining and achieving “real-time” transmission. Citing the recent area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, Amupitan explained that difficult terrain in Kabi ward of Kuje Area Council delayed result transmission until the following day.
According to him, elections remain central to democratic governance. Quoting former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, he described the ballot as more powerful than bullets and stressed that voter education and transparency are critical to national security and democratic stability.
Amupitan disclosed that INEC actively participated in shaping the Electoral Act 2026, contributing recommendations to ensure clearer provisions, particularly on mandatory transmission of results.
While acknowledging logistical and human errors during the FCT polls, he maintained that the commission is addressing operational gaps, stressing that the credibility of any election is closely tied to logistics management.
He expressed confidence that the 2027 general elections would surpass previous exercises, citing increased voter awareness and rising public demand for accountability.
Meanwhile, INEC has commenced a comprehensive review of its regulations and guidelines for political parties ahead of the 2027 polls.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the commission said the Abuja-based technical workshop involves national commissioners, directors, legal experts and other stakeholders conducting a clause-by-clause review of the 2022 regulatory framework.
INEC stated that the Electoral Act 2026 introduces significant changes affecting party administration, candidate nominations, compliance obligations and dispute resolution, necessitating alignment of subsidiary regulations.
The commission identified persistent issues such as opaque primaries, membership disputes and weak financial disclosures as triggers of avoidable litigation. It said reforms would shift oversight from reactive enforcement to proactive supervision using measurable standards, including insights from the Political Party Performance Index.
Technical support for the review is being provided by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. Its Nigeria Country Director, Adebowale Olorunmola, described the process as a reconstruction of Nigeria’s democratic foundation aimed at holding political parties to high integrity standards.
Parties move to comply
In compliance with the new law, the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress have launched nationwide digital membership registration exercises, while the APC may reopen its e-registration portal.
INEC had earlier scheduled the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and governorship and state assembly polls for March 6, 2027. However, following amendments by the National Assembly to shorten the mandatory notice period, the commission revised the timetable.
Under the updated schedule, presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly polls are slated for February 6, 2027.
Political parties are required to submit comprehensive digital membership registers by April 2, 2026, in line with the Electoral Act 2026, as INEC says it remains committed to deepening electoral integrity and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of 2027.
