As part of its efforts to prepare for the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering conducting a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology systems alongside a mock presidential poll.
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) disclosed this on Thursday while receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, during a courtesy visit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Amupitan noted that the measures being considered by the commission stem from concerns raised during the 2023 general election, particularly regarding the reliability of the electoral hardware.
According to him, the commission is considering auditing all of its voting systems ahead of the 2027 polls, as well as staging a mock presidential election to evaluate the readiness of its processes and technology before the actual vote.
He said, “The commission was looking at the possibility of auditing all its systems ahead of the 2027 general election, as well as conducting a mock presidential election, to test the readiness of its processes and technology before the actual polls.”
Speaking further, the INEC chairman noted that the planned audits and mock presidential poll were not originally included in the commission’s budget. However, he stated that INEC would explore avenues to fund and execute them, given their potential to enhance the credibility of the elections.
Amupitan also emphasized that public confidence in the electoral system is deeply tied to the reliability and transparency of the commission’s technology and procedures.
US Pledges Close Watch on Nigeria’s General Election
Meanwhile, the United States has pledged to closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 election. US Congressman Riley Moore revealed this, stating that President Trump’s administration will closely monitor the conduct of the polls..
According to Moore, a Republican lawmaker representing West Virginia Second District, the conduct and outcome of the 2027 election would be under scrutiny by both the US administration and members of Congress, stressing that credible elections remain an important issue in Washington’s engagement with Nigeria.
In an interview with NoireTV, a cable and streaming network specializing in African diaspora content, Moore stated that the US would closely monitor the electoral process
Backstory…
The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) mock presidential poll forms part of its preparations for the 2027 general election, as the electoral body seeks to test its systems, identify potential operational challenges and improve the credibility of the voting process before Nigerians head to the polls.
The latest initiative also comes against the backdrop of continued debate over Nigeria’s electoral process following the 2023 general election.
The presidential poll generated widespread controversy, with opposition parties questioning the conduct of the election, particularly the delayed electronic transmission of results and the performance of election technologies
Read Also: Appeal Court Validates INEC’s 2027 General Election Guidelines
