The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed commitment to credible, transparent and technology-driven elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, was speaking at the 2026 Citizens’Townhall Electoral Act in Abuja.
Amupitan said electoral integrity remained central to national development and global confidence.
He said Nigeria was determined to reshape global perceptions through institutional performance under the 2026.
He recalled an academic conference at Washington University in St. Louis where Nigeria was discussed largely 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.
He said perspectives shifted at the end of the engagement, reinforcing the need for Nigeria to project its image through credible institutions.
He described democracy as the foundation of legitimacy and development, quoting former U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln, to have said: “The ballot is stronger than the bullet.”
He said free, fair and transparent elections were instruments of stability, investor confidence and long-term growth.
On the 2026 Electoral Act, he said INEC played an active role in the nearly three-year multi-stakeholder reform process.
He said the process involved collaboration with the National Assembly, Civil Society Organisations (CSO and other stakeholders.
According to him, clarity and accessibility were central objectives of the legislation.
“In a diverse country like Nigeria, electoral laws must be simple, precise and understandable,” he said.
Addressing debate on electronic transmission of results, the INEC Chairman said 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 Karshi Ward.
“The delay was logistical, not systemic. Transmission did not fail. The issue was timing, not integrity,” he said.
He said the Electoral Act provided safeguards to ensure results were transmitted and properly collated.
The official identified logistics as critical to credible elections, listing timely voting, peaceful conduct, effective result management and transparent declaration as key benchmarks.
He acknowledged infrastructural and human challenges, but said institutional learning and reforms were ongoing.
“Perfection is our aspiration, but continuous improvement is our obligation,” he said.
Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, he said they provided lessons on scaling electoral technology nationwide.
He said technological systems performed effectively in some sub-national polls, including the Osun State governorship election.
However, he said national deployment during the presidential election exposed stress-capacity limitations in some systems.
He said preparations for 2027 would include nationwide stress-testing of technology, infrastructure reinforcement and scenario-based simulations.
Amupitan 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.
He said credible elections were 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, 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 said the Act introduced provisions to improve electoral administration, including clearer voter accreditation rules, electronic transmission of results and defined timelines for results management.
He added that the law also provided for 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.
He expressed concern over provisions perceived to affect the financial independence of the (INEC).
Itodo 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.
“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,” he said. (NAN)
