INEC to Conduct Nationwide Mock Elections on November 28

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled a nationwide mock accreditation and voting exercise for November 28, 2026, to test its readiness for the 2027 general elections. This move aims to identify and address potential issues with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic results transmission. The commission has learned from the challenges that marred the 2023 general elections and is taking steps to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during a dialogue at Chatham House in London.

To prevent a recurrence of the 2023 election challenges, INEC has introduced additional checks to ensure that results are properly verified before transmission. The commission will only upload verified results from polling units to its Results Viewing Portal (IReV). A new verification process has been introduced, requiring polling unit results to be verified by party agents before they are uploaded to IReV. This measure aims to eliminate issues of over-voting and incorrect results. Amupitan cited recent off-cycle elections in Anambra and Osun states as evidence of improvements under his leadership.

INEC has conducted several elections since Amupitan took over, including the Anambra governorship election, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, and the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. These exercises have helped the commission identify operational weaknesses and improve subsequent elections. Amupitan acknowledged that the credibility of the 2027 elections depends not only on the outcome of off-cycle polls but also on the transparency of the entire electoral process. The commission is prioritizing insecurity, logistics, and result management to ensure a smooth electoral process.

The INEC chairman identified polling centers as a major source of result-management problems during the 2023 elections. To address this, the commission is introducing additional safeguards to ensure that results are checked for accuracy at polling units, in the presence of party agents, before transmission to IReV. Amupitan emphasized that the commission has devised a safeguard to ensure that results uploaded to IReV are accurate. This measure aims to eliminate inconsistencies and boost public confidence in the electoral process.

Amupitan disclosed that security intelligence had uncovered a plot by bandits to attack INEC ad hoc personnel, particularly members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), to disrupt the 2027 elections. The suspects are being prosecuted at the Federal High Court by the Department of State Services (DSS). The commission is working with security agencies to ensure that election materials and personnel reach polling units on time. INEC is also battling over 300 lawsuits and vows to obey court orders, including one related to Atiku's eligibility.

The INEC chairman announced that the commission has yet to receive the full funds required for the 2027 elections, although assurances have been given that the outstanding balance will be released before the end of November. Part of the outstanding funds is needed to pay ad hoc election personnel, and the commission has already commenced recruitment for the exercise. Amupitan also addressed allegations of irregularities in the voter register, including claims of an 85 percent increase in registered voters in a ward in Ebonyi State.

Amupitan urged Nigerians to trust his leadership, acknowledging that the controversies surrounding the 2023 presidential election had significantly damaged public confidence in INEC. He insisted that he had never operated a controversial X account and dismissed allegations that his previous legal work in a political dispute meant he would be biased in the discharge of his duties as INEC chairman. The chairman expressed confidence that the measures being introduced will strengthen public confidence in the electoral process and ensure a credible 2027 election.

Key points

• INEC to conduct nationwide mock accreditation and voting exercise on November 28 to test readiness for 2027 polls.
• Commission introduces new verification process to ensure polling unit results are verified by party agents before upload to IReV.
• INEC working to address concerns over voter register irregularities and allegations of bias against its chairman.