The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of its commitment to conducting credible, transparent, and peaceful 2027 general elections in Nigeria. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance while receiving the ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission, led by former Sierra Leonean Vice President, Victor Foh, at the commission's headquarters in Abuja. Amupitan declared that INEC's allegiance is to Nigerians.
According to Amupitan, INEC remained committed to discharging its responsibilities impartially, adding that the 2027 elections would be a major test of Nigeria's democratic journey since 1999. He disclosed that the country's National Register of Voters had surpassed 103 million, while the commission had completed nine of the 14 major statutory milestones in its revised timetable for the elections. This, he said, is a testament to the commission's preparedness for the polls.
Amupitan provided details of the scale of the exercise, saying the commission would deploy personnel and technological resources across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, covering 774 local government areas, 8,809 registration areas, and 176,846 polling units. He said INEC had adopted a field-driven approach to assessing its preparedness, including zonal readiness assessment tours across the six geopolitical zones. This approach, he added, would ensure that the commission is adequately prepared for the elections.
On technology, Amupitan reaffirmed INEC's commitment to deploying the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System for fingerprint and facial biometric accreditation, alongside electronic result management systems. He also highlighted the introduction of the eEC8A electronic verification platform, which would complement transparent result management and verification through the INEC Result Viewing Portal. These technological innovations, he said, would ensure the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
Amupitan called for stronger collaboration with ECOWAS in deploying election observers, sharing technical expertise, and addressing emerging challenges, including electoral disinformation, logistics, and inclusive voter education. He also urged the regional body to sustain diplomatic engagement with political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to promote peaceful campaigns and respect for democratic commitments. This, he said, would ensure that the elections are conducted in a peaceful and credible manner.
Earlier, Foh said the fact-finding mission was part of ECOWAS' established practice of assessing electoral preparedness in member states approaching general elections. Foh, alongside the Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division and Permanent Secretary of ECONEC, Serigne Mamadou Ka, said the mission was undertaken in line with Article 31 of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, Article 53 of the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework, and relevant decisions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
The INEC Chairman's assurance of credible elections comes as the commission prepares for the 2027 general elections. With the completion of nine major statutory milestones and the deployment of personnel and technological resources, INEC appears to be making progress in its preparations. The commission's commitment to transparency and credibility, as well as its collaboration with ECOWAS and other stakeholders, is expected to ensure that the elections are conducted in a peaceful and credible manner.
Key points
- INEC assures ECOWAS of credible 2027 general elections in Nigeria
- INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, receives ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission in Abuja
- Nigeria's National Register of Voters surpasses 103 million ahead of 2027 elections
