By Gabriel Ameh
ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it plans to deploy approximately 1.4 million ad-hoc personnel across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide for the 2027 General Election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Tuesday when he received a Pre-Election Assessment Mission (PEAM) delegation of the International Republican Institute (IRI), led by former United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and former US Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Dr. Jendayi Frazier, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Amupitan said the IRI delegation’s visit, scheduled for August 11 to 21, came at a critical point in Nigeria’s electoral calendar, shortly after the Osun State governorship election and ahead of the statutory commencement of campaigns for the 2027 elections.
INEC tests technology ahead of 2027 polls
The INEC chairman said recent off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, alongside legislative by-elections, had provided opportunities for the Commission to test its electoral technology, logistics and security coordination ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to Amupitan, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the electronic transmission and public display of polling unit results through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal have recorded improved operational reliability.
He said recent off-cycle elections achieved result-upload rates of more than 98 per cent, describing the performance as an indication of the Commission’s preparedness to scale up its systems for the much larger 2027 election.
Amupitan said the 2027 election would constitute an unprecedented logistical undertaking for the Commission, requiring expanded administrative capacity and early planning.
ABIS to tackle duplicate voter registrations
The INEC chairman identified continuous voter registration, voters’ register auditing, logistics optimisation and greater inclusion of vulnerable voters among the Commission’s major priorities ahead of the elections.
He disclosed that INEC would deploy the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to detect and eliminate duplicate voter records as part of efforts to maintain a clean, accurate and credible voters’ register.
The Commission is also working to improve logistics through early deployment arrangements and stronger partnerships with transport unions.
According to Amupitan, the measures are aimed at ensuring that polling units open on time at 8:30 a.m. on election day.
INEC targets more inclusive voting process
Amupitan said the Commission was also strengthening access to polling units and making provisions for voters who may face difficulties accessing or participating in the electoral process.
He specifically mentioned Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, nursing mothers and elderly voters, saying specialised assistive devices and other measures would be provided to improve their participation.
Insecurity, vote-buying and disinformation remain concerns
The INEC chairman identified insecurity, electoral violence, vote-buying, hate speech, disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) as some of the major threats that could affect the 2027 elections.
He said INEC was working with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to address security-related challenges.
The Commission is also collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to enforce electoral laws, monitor campaign finance violations and pursue electoral offences.
Amupitan also disclosed that INEC would participate alongside presidential candidates in the National Peace Committee’s signing of the First National Peace Accord on Issue-Based Campaigns.
IRI mission to assess Nigeria’s electoral environment
The INEC chairman described international election observation missions as important institutional partners whose assessments and recommendations could help identify weaknesses and improve the electoral process.
He assured the IRI delegation of INEC’s commitment to transparency, an open-door policy and cooperation throughout the assessment mission and ahead of the institute’s International Election Observation Mission for the 2027 General Election.
Amupitan also reiterated the Commission’s neutrality, insisting that INEC had no preferred political party or candidate.
“Our sole mandate is to serve as an uncompromising, impartial umpire dedicated to delivering a free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive election that reflects the sovereign will of the Nigerian people,” he said.
The IRI’s pre-election assessment is expected to provide an independent evaluation of Nigeria’s electoral environment ahead of the 2027 General Election, while offering recommendations aimed at strengthening the credibility, transparency and inclusiveness of the electoral process.
