The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to conduct a full audit of its electoral technology and hold a mock presidential election in preparation for the 2027 general polls. Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Commission’s Chairman, shared these intentions during a meeting with Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, at the Abuja headquarters.
These initiatives stem from lessons learned during the 2023 elections, specifically concerning technical reliability. While these exercises were not initially budgeted, Prof. Amupitan stated that the agency would seek ways to implement them to bolster electoral integrity. The strategy includes further use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), alongside a comprehensive overhaul of cyber-security, system redundancy, and disaster recovery plans.
Highlighting the importance of public trust, the Chairman emphasized that addressing technical gaps is essential for future success. He also noted that the United Kingdom and organizations like the International Foundation for Electoral Systems remain vital partners in this effort. INEC reaffirmed its goal of conducting transparent, credible elections through collaboration with political stakeholders, security services, and the Nigerian public.
