The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set a target to start voting simultaneously across all polling units in Nigeria during the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced this goal while delivering a keynote address at a strategic workshop for editors organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with the commission in Abuja on Monday, October 6, 2026.
Amupitan stated that INEC is drawing lessons from recent off-cycle elections to improve its logistics, personnel, and technology ahead of the 2027 polls. The commission is working to ensure that logistics are properly addressed and its technology works optimally to enable Nigerians to vote without unnecessary delays. Amupitan emphasised that the commission is targeting a general election where voting starts in all polling units in Nigeria at the same instance.
To achieve this goal, INEC has commenced early procurement and distribution of non-sensitive election materials to state offices. The commission has also procured new operational pickup vehicles for state offices and local government areas to improve the movement of personnel and materials. Additionally, INEC has started nationwide zonal readiness assessments, with physical audits and staff engagements already completed in the South-West and North-West zones.
The assessments aim to identify local vulnerabilities, test contingency systems, and address potential bottlenecks ahead of election day. INEC has also acquired 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices, which are undergoing software hardening, battery optimisation, and biometric calibration. These technological upgrades are designed to strengthen accreditation and prevent manipulation.
The commission has also introduced an enhanced electronic EC8A system to ensure that polling unit result sheets are digitised, cryptographically authenticated, and uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal. This approach is intended to improve transparency and enable citizens to follow the process rather than leave room for suspicion and misinformation. Effective and transparent management of election results has been identified as a critical lesson from the challenges that followed the 2023 general elections.
INEC has also introduced technology aimed at making voter registration and access to voter cards easier. The commission introduced an online registration portal during the third phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise to remove barriers associated with distance and time. Printable Permanent Voter Cards have also been introduced in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, eliminating unnecessary delays in obtaining voter cards.
The chairman noted that the commission is now 101 days away from the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, with the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections fixed for February 6. INEC has executed eight of the 14 major statutory activities contained in its revised timetable and is advancing towards the completion of the ninth milestone. Amupitan called on editors to work with the Commission to build a public space of verified information, civic responsibility, and institutional trust.
Key points
- INEC aims to start voting simultaneously across all polling units in Nigeria during the 2027 general elections.
- The commission is improving its logistics, personnel, and technology ahead of the 2027 polls.
- INEC has introduced new technologies to enhance voter registration, accreditation, and result management.