0-0x0-0-0-{}-0-0#
media360impact
ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering conducting a comprehensive audit of its election technology infrastructure and organising a mock presidential election as part of preparations for the 2027 general election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), disclosed this on Thursday while receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to the INEC chairman, the proposals are aimed at strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process by ensuring that all election technologies are thoroughly tested before the 2027 polls.
He explained that the planned review was informed by lessons from the 2023 general election, particularly concerns surrounding the reliability of election technology.
Amupitan said the Commission was considering carrying out a comprehensive audit of all its technology systems and conducting a nationwide mock presidential election to assess the readiness of its processes, personnel and digital infrastructure ahead of the general election.
Although the initiatives were not included in INEC’s current budget, he noted that the Commission would explore possible funding options because of their importance to electoral credibility.
He added that the proposals complement ongoing efforts to improve the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), and the Commission’s cyber-security framework, including system redundancy, penetration testing and disaster recovery measures.
The INEC chairman stressed that restoring and maintaining public trust in elections depends largely on the reliability, transparency and security of the Commission’s technology.
He also highlighted election technology and cyber-security as major areas of collaboration between INEC and the United Kingdom, acknowledging the support of the UK Government and development partners, including the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections, noting that successful elections require the collective efforts of political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and citizens.
Earlier, British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery said the UK had been closely monitoring INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general election, as well as recent off-cycle elections conducted in Ekiti, the Federal Capital Territory and Anambra State.
He described the UK’s engagement as part of its longstanding commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic development, referencing the strategic partnership signed by both countries in 2024 and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom in March.
Montgomery, who said he would conclude his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria in about six weeks, assured INEC of continued British support under his successor as preparations for the 2027 general election continue.
