2027 Polls: INEC Seeks Robust Security Partnership To Safeguard Voters’ Mandate

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, has called for stronger collaboration between the Commission and security agencies to guarantee credible and secure elections in 2027.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the 2nd Annual Lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), Amupitan said the success of the 2027 General Election would be a critical test of Nigeria’s security architecture.

He stressed that elections and security are closely linked, noting that the integrity of the electoral process is central to national stability.

According to him, the recently released Notice of Election, which fixed the Presidential and National Assembly polls for January 16, 2027, should be viewed not just as an administrative step but as a signal for heightened security preparedness.

Amupitan identified emerging threats to the electoral process, including artificial intelligence-driven disinformation, foreign information manipulation, and the volatility of social media, warning that these challenges could undermine public trust if not properly managed.

To address these risks, he reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to deploying technological tools such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which he described as critical safeguards against electoral fraud.

The INEC chairman emphasised that security plays a vital role throughout the electoral process, from pre-election planning to post-election activities. He urged the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to adopt a more proactive, intelligence-driven approach, particularly ahead of the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections later this year.

He also expressed concern over declining voter turnout, which dropped to 26 per cent in the 2023 general election, warning that low participation could create room for misinformation and weaken democratic legitimacy.
“A vote cast is a brick laid in the wall of national security,” he said.

In his guest lecture, former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr. Mike Igini, highlighted the operational challenges of managing elections, noting that while INEC provides the framework, much of the work on Election Day is carried out by ad hoc staff.

He stressed the importance of security agencies in ensuring that the process is not compromised, adding that public perception accounts for a significant part of election credibility.

Igini also reviewed the legal framework guiding elections, describing the 2022 Electoral Act as a major step forward, while expressing concern that some of its gains had been weakened by provisions in the 2026 Electoral Act.

He called on security agencies to create a safe environment that encourages citizens to participate in the electoral process without fear.

Earlier, the President of AANISS, Barr. Mike Ejiofor, said the association remains committed to promoting informed discussions on national security and governance.

He noted that credible elections are essential for legitimacy, warning that flawed processes could lead to instability and conflict.

The event concluded with a call on all stakeholders to work collectively towards ensuring that the 2027 General Election reflects the true will of the Nigerian people and strengthens the country’s democratic system.