2027 Polls: INEC Assures ECOWAS of Neutrality as Voter Register Exceeds 103m
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting credible, transparent and peaceful 2027 general elections, declaring that its allegiance is exclusively to Nigerians and the rule of law.
The Commission also disclosed that Nigeria’s National Register of Voters has surpassed 103 million as preparations intensify for the next general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the assurance on Friday while receiving the ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission, led by former Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Victor Bockarie Foh, at the Commission’s National Headquarters in Abuja.
Amupitan described the 2027 elections as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey since the restoration of civilian rule in 1999, noting that their successful conduct would have significant implications for democratic stability and consolidation across West Africa.
He disclosed that INEC had completed nine of the 14 major statutory milestones outlined in its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the elections.
According to him, the Commission has concluded three phases of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise and completed the nationwide physical display of the Preliminary Register of Voters.
Providing an overview of the scale of the electoral exercise, the INEC chairman said the Commission would deploy personnel and technological resources across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, covering 774 Local Government Areas, 8,809 Registration Areas and 176,846 polling units.
He explained that INEC had adopted a field-driven approach to assessing its preparedness, including zonal readiness assessment tours across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
On electoral technology, Amupitan reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to deploying the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for fingerprint and facial biometric accreditation, alongside electronic result management systems.
He also highlighted the introduction of the eEC8A electronic verification platform, which he said would complement the transparent management and verification of election results through the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
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On security arrangements, the chairman said INEC was collaborating with relevant security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to strengthen security measures ahead of the polls.
He called for enhanced cooperation with ECOWAS, particularly in deploying long-term and short-term election observers, sharing technical expertise and addressing emerging challenges such as electoral disinformation, logistical constraints and inclusive voter education.
Amupitan also urged the regional organisation to sustain diplomatic engagement with political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to encourage peaceful campaigns and adherence to democratic principles.
Earlier, the Head of the ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission, Victor Bockarie Foh, said the visit was part of the regional body’s established practice of assessing electoral preparedness in member states approaching general elections.
Foh, accompanied by the Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division and Permanent Secretary of ECONEC, Serigne Mamadou Ka, explained that the mission was undertaken in accordance with Article 31 of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, Article 53 of the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework, and relevant decisions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
He said the mission was designed to assess the preparedness of electoral stakeholders, identify potential challenges and determine areas where the ECOWAS Commission could provide technical and institutional support.
According to him, the delegation would engage political party leaders and coalitions, government representatives, electoral officials, civil society organisations, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
The ECOWAS representatives emphasised that the exercise was not restricted to assessing INEC’s institutional preparedness but was also intended to provide a broader understanding of the political and institutional environment ahead of the elections.
Reiterating the Commission’s independence and impartiality, Amupitan declared that INEC would not align itself with any political party or candidate.
“INEC under my watch has no candidate and no political party,” he said.
“Our sole allegiance is to the rule of law, the sovereign will of the Nigerian electorate, and the democratic progress of our nation.”
By PRNigeria
