By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering conducting a comprehensive audit of all its electoral technology systems and a mock presidential election ahead of the 2027 general election.
The proposed measures are part of efforts to strengthen the reliability of the commission’s electoral processes and address concerns arising from the 2023 general election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Thursday while receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, who paid a courtesy visit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Amupitan said the proposals were being considered by the commission in response to concerns over the reliability of election technology, particularly lessons from the 2023 general election.
According to him, INEC is examining the possibility of auditing all its electoral technology systems ahead of the 2027 polls, while also conducting a mock presidential election to test the readiness of its processes and technological infrastructure before the actual election.
The INEC Chairman, however, noted that the proposed exercises were not captured in the commission’s original budget, but said the commission would explore ways to implement them if considered necessary.
He said the exercises could significantly contribute to strengthening public confidence and the credibility of the 2027 general election.
Amupitan said the proposed audit and mock election were part of INEC’s broader efforts to enhance 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 was also reviewing its cybersecurity architecture, with emphasis on system redundancy, penetration testing and disaster recovery mechanisms.
The INEC Chairman stressed that public confidence in the electoral process was largely dependent on the reliability of the commission’s technology and processes.
He said INEC remained committed to identifying and addressing gaps observed in previous elections before the 2027 general election.
Amupitan identified election technology and cybersecurity as key areas of continued collaboration between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
He also acknowledged the technical support received from the UK and other international partners, including the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral processes.
The INEC Chairman reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting credible, transparent elections that reflect the will of Nigerians.
He noted, however, that electoral credibility remained a shared responsibility requiring the cooperation of political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and citizens.
Earlier, Montgomery said the British Government had been closely monitoring INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general election, including developments from recent off-cycle elections in Ekiti, the Federal Capital Territory and Anambra states, as well as preparations for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
The High Commissioner described the UK’s interest in Nigeria’s democratic process as both moral and practical support, citing the strategic partnership signed between the two countries in 2024 and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom in March.
Montgomery, who disclosed that he would be leaving office in about six weeks, assured INEC of continued British support under his successor.
He expressed confidence that the incoming High Commissioner would sustain the productive relationship between the UK Government and INEC ahead of the 2027 general election.
