By Achile Momoh
INEC: Four-State Bye-Elections Provide Vital Lessons for 2027
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the September 19 bye-elections across Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states have provided important operational lessons for its preparations for the 2027 General Election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made this known while personally presiding over operations at the Commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja.
The Commission conducted legislative bye-elections in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State, Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies in Bauchi State, and Udu State Constituency in Delta State.
Amupitan said the elections should not be treated as routine exercises, describing off-cycle polls as opportunities for the Commission to assess and strengthen its electoral systems ahead of the nationwide 2027 elections.
“These four bye-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the Commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 General Election,” Amupitan said.
He said every electoral exercise allows INEC to review its logistics, technology deployment and administrative preparedness in the field.
“We must resist the temptation to view any exercise as merely an ordinary bye-election. Every election is a critical component of our broader preparations for the 2027 General Election,” he added.
INEC Monitors Polls From Abuja Situation Room
Amupitan, alongside National Commissioners and senior management officials, monitored reports from the various locations as voting progressed.
He said the Commission’s National Situation Room was focused on monitoring developments and addressing operational challenges as they emerged.
According to him, administrative and field-related issues identified before the elections were addressed, while the exercise provided an opportunity to assess INEC’s performance across multiple locations.
“Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution,” the INEC chairman said.
He added that the Commission would continue refining its processes to improve operational efficiency and public confidence in future elections.
The INEC chairman commended the technical team and other officials who participated in the monitoring exercise, saying their efforts enabled the Commission to track the multi-state polls.
The September 19 bye-elections form part of INEC’s electoral activities ahead of the 2027 General Election, with the Commission’s calendar scheduling the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, and governorship and State House of Assembly elections for February 6, 2027.
