The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering a nationwide mock presidential poll as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The commission said the exercise would test its election technology under nationwide conditions before the polls.
It added that the plan would help identify technical weaknesses and improve the credibility of future elections.
INEC plans nationwide technology test
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the proposal during a courtesy visit by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, INEC is also reviewing its election technology and considering a comprehensive audit of its digital systems.
He explained that the proposals followed lessons learned from the 2023 general elections.
Those lessons, he said, highlighted the need for broader testing before nationwide deployment.
“One of the things we are trying to do before the election is to have a mock presidential election, so that we are sure that this transmission across the states must not fail.”
Lessons from the 2023 elections
Amupitan said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) performed successfully during several off-cycle governorship elections.
However, he noted that the 2023 presidential election exposed the need for a more extensive nationwide test.
The proposed mock poll would simulate real election conditions across the country.
It would also assess the strength of INEC’s electronic result transmission system before the 2027 elections.
According to the INEC chairman, the exercise would enable the commission to identify and fix technical issues early.
Commission targets credible polls
Amupitan expressed confidence that the technical challenges experienced during the 2023 presidential election would not happen again.
“The glitch is eliminated; by God’s grace, it will not surface in Nigeria.”
He explained that the Electoral Act provides alternative methods for result collation only as a safeguard if technology fails.
Furthermore, he said INEC remains committed to improving election logistics, result management and technology deployment.
The commission, he added, wants to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process ahead of 2027.
“By the grace of God, the 2027 election will be the best Nigeria has ever had.”
He said INEC’s goal is to deliver elections that are transparent, credible and widely accepted by Nigerians.
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