The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a free, fair, credible and transparent 2027 General Election as it received a delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI) for a Pre-Election Assessment Mission (PEAM) in Abuja.
The delegation, led by IRI President, Dr. Dan Twining, is in Nigeria from August 11 to 21, 2026, to assess INEC’s preparedness for the 2027 elections and identify areas where international cooperation and technical support could strengthen the electoral process.
Speaking during an interactive session with the delegation, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, described the visit as timely, coming shortly after the successful conduct of the Osun State governorship election and ahead of the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan said INEC had used recent off-cycle elections and legislative by-elections as operational tests to improve its electoral technology, logistics and security coordination ahead of the 2027 polls.
He noted that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal had continued to demonstrate high levels of reliability, with result-upload rates exceeding 98 per cent in recent elections.
According to him, the improved performance of the technologies has contributed to greater transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
The INEC chairman disclosed that the Commission is preparing for one of the largest electoral operations in Nigeria’s history, with plans to deploy approximately 1.4 million ad hoc personnel across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide.
He added that INEC was strengthening its logistics operations, expanding early deployment strategies and deepening collaboration with transport unions to facilitate the timely movement of election materials and personnel.
On voter registration, the Commission highlighted ongoing reforms, including online registration, continuous updating of the voters’ register and measures aimed at improving the accuracy and integrity of voter data.
INEC also pledged to make the electoral process more inclusive by expanding access for persons with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers and elderly voters.
Amupitan identified misinformation, disinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence as emerging threats to electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 elections.
He disclosed that the Commission had established an AI-focused unit to develop protocols for the responsible use of artificial intelligence and combat false information capable of undermining public confidence in elections.
Reiterating INEC’s neutrality, Amupitan stressed that the Commission has no preference for any political party or candidate, maintaining that its sole responsibility is to conduct elections that reflect the will of Nigerians.
He cited the recent Osun governorship election as evidence of INEC’s commitment to credible and peaceful elections, while acknowledging the need to improve voter participation in future polls.
In his remarks, IRI President, Dr. Dan Twining, said the institute’s mission was to support a competitive, peaceful and credible electoral process in Nigeria.
Twining said the delegation was keen to understand INEC’s preparations, identify potential challenges and explore areas where the international community could contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“We know how committed Nigerians are to exercising their democratic rights,” Twining said.
“Our interest is a competitive, peaceful and credible election in Nigeria, and we look forward to learning how we can support that objective.”
The engagement underscores growing international interest in Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 elections and the importance of strengthening electoral institutions, technology, logistics, inclusivity and public confidence ahead of the polls.
