Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Independent National Electoral Commission is considering a comprehensive audit of all its electoral technology systems alongside a nationwide mock presidential election, as part of a sweeping preparation strategy for the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, disclosed the proposals on Thursday, July 16, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, at the commission's headquarters in Abuja. The chairman said the initiatives were prompted by concerns arising from the 2023 general election, particularly regarding the reliability of election technology, and are aimed at restoring and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
According to Amupitan, the commission is examining the possibility of subjecting all its electoral technology systems to a full audit before the next general election, while also conducting a nationwide mock presidential poll to test the readiness of its technological infrastructure and operational processes. "The commission was looking at the possibility of auditing all its systems ahead of the 2027 election, as well as conducting a mock presidential election, to test the readiness of its processes and technology before the actual polls," he said. The chairman noted that although the proposed exercises were not originally captured in the commission's current budget, they could become necessary investments in strengthening the credibility of the 2027 elections.
Amupitan explained that the proposals align with INEC's broader efforts to improve technological reliability through the continued deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal. He noted that the commission is also undertaking an ongoing review of its cyber-security architecture, covering system redundancy, penetration testing, and disaster recovery mechanisms. The chairman stressed that public confidence in the electoral process depends significantly on the reliability of the commission's technology and operational processes, adding that INEC remained committed to addressing any gaps identified from previous elections ahead of 2027.
The INEC chairman identified election technology and cyber-security as key areas of collaboration between INEC and the United Kingdom, noting that the commission has continued to benefit from technical support provided by the UK government and other development partners, including the International Foundation for Electoral Systems. He reaffirmed the commission's commitment to delivering elections that are credible, transparent, and reflective of the will of Nigerians, while emphasising that electoral integrity requires the collective efforts of political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, and citizens.
Earlier, British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery reaffirmed the United Kingdom's commitment to supporting Nigeria's democratic development, saying the UK has a strong interest in the country's electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections. Montgomery, who was accompanied by Governance Adviser Dr. Matthew Ayibakuro and Political Counsellor Greta Morris, said the visit was aimed at gaining a better understanding of INEC's preparations for forthcoming elections, including the Osun State governorship election and the 2027 general polls. "We have a very strong interest and investment in the Federal Republic of Nigeria," Montgomery said. "I hope you will take our interest in your democratic process as a sign of support, both moral and, in a small way, some practical support that we have been discussing with you in the run-up to 2027."
The envoy noted that discussions on Nigeria's electoral future featured prominently during the recently concluded National Assembly Open Week, where stakeholders examined constitutional reforms and other governance issues. He described the UK government's interest in Nigeria's democratic process as both moral and practical support, citing the strategic partnership signed by both countries in 2024 and President Bola Tinubu's state visit to the United Kingdom in March. Montgomery, who disclosed that he would be concluding his tenure in about six weeks, assured INEC of continued British support under his successor, expressing confidence that the incoming High Commissioner would sustain a productive working relationship with the commission in the build-up to the 2027 general election.
The proposals come amid growing public scrutiny of Nigeria's electoral process, with many citizens and civil society organisations calling for greater transparency and technological reliability in the conduct of elections. The 2023 general election, while widely considered an improvement over previous polls, was marred by technical glitches with the BVAS and IReV systems, leading to delays and disputes in some areas. The proposed mock presidential election would provide an opportunity for INEC to test its systems under simulated conditions, identify potential weaknesses, and make necessary adjustments before the actual polls. Similarly, a comprehensive systems audit would help the commission assess the integrity and security of its technology infrastructure, ensuring that it is resilient against cyber threats and capable of delivering accurate and timely results.
The announcement has been welcomed by election observers and civil society organisations, who have long called for more rigorous testing of electoral technology ahead of major elections. Many have hailed the proposal as a positive step towards restoring public confidence in the electoral process, while others have urged the commission to ensure that the mock election is conducted in a transparent and inclusive manner, with the participation of political parties, civil society, and the media. The success of the proposed exercises, observers say, will depend largely on the commission's ability to secure adequate funding and technical support, as well as its commitment to addressing any issues that may be identified during the process.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the stakes could not be higher. With a population of over 200 million people and a vibrant democracy that has become a beacon of hope for the continent, the credibility of the electoral process is of paramount importance. The proposed systems audit and mock presidential election represent a significant step towards ensuring that the 2027 polls are conducted in a manner that is free, fair, and credible. However, the success of these initiatives will depend not only on the commission's efforts but also on the cooperation of all stakeholders, including political parties, security agencies, civil society, and the citizens who will ultimately decide the outcome of the elections. For now, the ball is in INEC's court, and the nation will be watching closely to see whether the commission can deliver on its promises.
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