The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised to maintain neutrality in the 2027 elections, ensuring equal treatment for all parties and candidates. INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan emphasized that the commission's decisions would be based on the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, its regulations and guidelines, and binding court decisions. This commitment was made through an address delivered on his behalf by Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner Chukwuemeka Ibeziakor at a public lecture in Owerri.
The assurance comes amid controversy surrounding the voters' register, with concerns over public access to the preliminary register. INEC national commissioner Mohammed Haruna stated that the commission had displayed the register at wards but had not uploaded it to its official website. This distinction between physical and online publication has raised questions about INEC's compliance with Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires publication or display at registration areas and on the commission's website.
Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 stipulates that INEC must designate a seven-day period for public scrutiny of the register, no later than 90 days before a general election. The provision allows for complaints about missing names, necessary corrections, and objections to the inclusion of people who do not qualify for registration. Analyst Dayo Sobowale defended giving INEC an opportunity to demonstrate its credibility, arguing that dissatisfaction with previous elections should not determine expectations of the forthcoming polls.
Sobowale emphasized that INEC's central responsibility was delivering a free and fair contest, and that impartial conduct served its own institutional interests. He maintained that the commission should have the opportunity to fulfil its undertaking, rejecting the suggestion that doubts about INEC's credibility necessarily established that it would fail in 2027. The discussion also addressed proposals for political parties to compile their own figures amid concerns about delays in official collation and display of results.
The debate over INEC's credibility and the voters' register continued, with presenters questioning whether the absence of the document from INEC's website undermined the chairman's promise to follow the law. Sobowale disputed the allegation that the commission had violated its obligations, expressing confidence that INEC would eventually publish the register online. He identified the movement of election materials across the country as a major practical concern, particularly close to polling day.
Amupitan also emphasized that responsibility for credible elections extended to political parties, urging them to strengthen internal democracy, observe legal deadlines, and resolve grievances through lawful channels. He argued that transparent nominations and reliable party records could reduce disputes before polling, while failures within parties could complicate preparations. INEC would apply legal standards to the records and circumstances before it, even where particular interests found the resulting decisions inconvenient.
Ultimately, the significance of INEC's undertaking lies in whether Nigerians can exercise their voting rights through a credible contest. Sobowale stressed that without a free and fair election, Nigeria's democracy would be a sham. The commission's actions and performance will provide the basis for judging its assurances, as Nigerians expect transparency and credibility from the electoral process.
Key points
- INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan reaffirms the commission's commitment to neutrality and equal treatment for parties and candidates in the 2027 elections.
- The controversy surrounding the voters' register raises questions about INEC's compliance with the Electoral Act 2026.
- Analyst Dayo Sobowale defends giving INEC an opportunity to demonstrate its credibility, despite concerns over previous elections.
