The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is considering a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology infrastructure and the conduct of a mock presidential election as part of efforts to strengthen preparations for the 2027 general election.
The proposals were disclosed on Thursday in Abuja by the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, during a courtesy visit by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, to the Commission’s headquarters.
Speaking during the meeting, Amupitan said the initiatives were prompted by lessons from the 2023 general election, particularly concerns over the performance and integrity of election technology.
He noted that the Commission was deliberating on the proposals at its meeting on Thursday.
According to him, the planned systems audit would comprehensively assess INEC’s electoral technology infrastructure ahead of the 2027 polls, while a mock presidential election would serve as a nationwide test of the Commission’s operational readiness, technology and electoral processes before the actual election.
The INEC chairman acknowledged that neither initiative was included in the Commission’s approved budget but stressed that every effort would be made to implement them if they were considered necessary to enhance the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
He explained that the proposals align with INEC’s broader reforms aimed at improving technological reliability, including the continued deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, and the INEC Result Viewing Portal, IReV.
He added that the Commission is also reviewing its cyber-security framework, with emphasis on system redundancy, penetration testing and disaster recovery mechanisms.
Amupitan maintained that public trust in elections depends largely on the integrity and resilience of the Commission’s technology and operational processes, assuring Nigerians that INEC remains committed to addressing shortcomings identified in previous elections before the 2027 polls.
He identified election technology and cyber-security as major areas of cooperation between INEC and the United Kingdom, commending the UK’s technical assistance, as well as the support of other development partners, including the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, IFES, in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
The INEC chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s determination to conduct elections that are credible, transparent and reflective of the will of the people. He added that sustaining electoral integrity requires the collective commitment of political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and the electorate.
Earlier, the British High Commissioner said the UK had been closely monitoring INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general election, including recent off-cycle elections in Ekiti, the Federal Capital Territory and Anambra, as well as preparations for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
Montgomery said the United Kingdom’s continued engagement with Nigeria’s electoral process reflects its commitment to supporting democratic governance.
He referenced the strategic partnership signed by both countries in 2024 and President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK in March as evidence of the growing bilateral relationship.
The envoy, who disclosed that he would complete his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria in about six weeks, assured the Commission that British support for Nigeria’s electoral reforms would continue under his successor, expressing confidence that the existing partnership with INEC would be sustained ahead of the 2027 general election.
