The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the technical issues experienced during the 2023 presidential election will not occur in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the Citizens’ Townhall on the Electoral Act 2026, Amupitan said that next year’s elections would be “the best in the history of the country.”
The commission recently announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027. This revision aligns with the 2026 Electoral Act, replacing the previous February 20 and March 6 dates.
Amupitan emphasized that INEC would conduct a mock presidential election to test the results-transmission infrastructure, ensuring that glitches experienced in 2023 are fully addressed.
“Election anywhere in the world is now about technology, but before deploying any technology, it is important to test it thoroughly. One of the things we are trying to do before the election is to have a mock presidential election, so that we are sure that this transmission across the states must not fail. By God’s grace, the 2027 election will be the best Nigeria has ever had,” he said.
He noted that while perfection may be challenging, the commission is committed to delivering a credible, near-flawless process that guarantees legitimacy and strengthens public confidence.
“The electorate of 2027 is more aware and understands the direct correlation between elections and national development. When people trust INEC and their leaders, the country will move forward. Credible elections remain the lifeblood of democracy,” Amupitan concluded.
