The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the commission is equipped to electronically transmit election results for the 2027 polls, though he noted that a “100 per cent perfect election” cannot be guaranteed.
Speaking on Sunday at the Citizens’ Town Hall programme, aired live and titled ‘Electoral Act 2026: What it means for your votes and the 2027 elections,’ Amupitan emphasized the importance of voter education, institutional transparency, and logistics in delivering credible elections.
He highlighted the challenges of real-time result transmission, citing the recent Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections where results from Kabi ward were delayed due to difficult terrain and limited network access. Despite such delays, Amupitan said the commission has the capacity to transmit results electronically and is addressing logistical issues from past elections.
“Election is the lifeblood of democracy. A transparent process builds public confidence, and INEC, along with civil society, plays a critical role in ensuring credibility,” he said.
Amupitan also noted that INEC was actively involved in shaping the Electoral Act 2026 over the past three years, working alongside lawmakers and civil society organizations. The law mandates electronic transmission of results, formalizes the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and introduces new timelines for party primaries and funding releases.
In preparation for 2027, INEC has begun a comprehensive review of its regulations and guidelines for political parties to strengthen compliance, prevent disputes, and enhance transparency. The process involves national commissioners, directors, legal experts, election administrators, and stakeholders, with technical support from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
Political parties are also adapting to the new requirements. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a nationwide digital membership registration exercise to comply with the Electoral Act 2026. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has similarly begun free online registration, requiring members to update and validate their information.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), which started its e-registration in January, may reopen the exercise to allow more members to register ahead of the revised 2027 election timetable. Following adjustments to the Electoral Act, the Presidential and National Assembly elections are now scheduled for January 16, 2027, and Governorship and State Assembly elections for February 6, 2027.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to continuous electoral reform, ensuring political parties operate transparently, comply with regulations, and produce credible candidates for Nigerians.
