The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has assured Nigerians that the 2027 general elections will be the most credible in the country’s history.
Amupitan gave the assurance at a Citizens’ Town Hall Meeting themed “What It Means for Your Vote and the 2027 Elections,” organised by the Civil Society Network on Electoral Integrity.
He attributed the optimism to sweeping reforms introduced by the Electoral Act 2026, signed into law on February 18 after a three-year consultative process involving the National Assembly, civil society organisations and INEC.
According to him, the new law represents a major step toward restoring public confidence, enhancing transparency and strengthening democratic legitimacy.
“Democracy — and elections in particular — is the lifeblood of democracy,” he said, quoting Abraham Lincoln that “the ballot is more powerful than the bullet,” while warning that voter ignorance remains a threat to national security.
Lessons from 2023
Addressing concerns over the technical glitches that marred the 2023 presidential election results transmission, the INEC chairman admitted that devices used were not sufficiently stress-tested for nationwide deployment.
“Glitches have been eliminated. By God’s grace, they will not surface again,” he assured, adding that extensive system testing would be conducted ahead of 2027 to guarantee seamless inter-state transmission of results.
Electronic transmission, logistics key
Amupitan described strengthened provisions for electronic transmission of results as one of the most significant gains of the Electoral Act 2026, noting that INEC pushed for mandatory transmission during legislative consultations.
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However, he cautioned against expecting instantaneous uploads, citing network and terrain challenges experienced even within the Federal Capital Territory.
“Your election can only be as good as your logistics,” he stated, identifying timely commencement, peaceful conduct and transparent result management as key benchmarks for success.
Credible polls, stronger nation
Linking electoral credibility to national development, Amupitan stressed that investor confidence and institutional strength depend largely on public trust in the electoral system.
“There is a correlation between credible elections and development. When people trust INEC and their leaders, the country moves forward,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment, he concluded: “By the grace of God, the 2027 election will be the best Nigerians will have.”
The INEC chairman noted that Nigerian voters are now more informed and demanding, expressing confidence that the new legal framework will help meet public expectations in 2027.
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