INEC Committed To Delivering 2027 As Scheduled – Amupitan

… Yiaga Africa, CISLAC, others react

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed its readiness for the 2027 general elections, despite delays in the passage of the amended Electoral Act before the National Assembly.

INEC chairman, Prof Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, emphasised that the commission is on track, with a comprehensive timetable and schedule of activities already finalised, underscoring the nation’s commitment to a free, fair, and credible election process.

“Despite the delay in the passage of the amended Electoral Act, INEC is committed to delivering the 2027 elections as scheduled. Our timetable and activities have been carefully planned, and we will ensure that the election is held in compliance with the Constitution of Nigeria and all relevant laws,” Prof Amupitan stated.

Speaking at a consultative meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Abuja yesterday, Amupitan welcomed the participants and highlighted the significant electoral activities leading up to the 2027 elections.

But civil society organisations, namely Yiaga Africa, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and CREAP told LEADERSHIP that the delay in passing the  Electoral Act Amendment Bill would impede the election.

However, speaking during the meeting with CSOs, the INEC chairman reassured that the release of the election timetable would fully comply with the Constitution of Nigeria and the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

While acknowledging the National Assembly’s ongoing work on the Electoral Act amendments, he urged lawmakers to expedite the process.

This call comes as the Commission prepares for crucial elections in the coming months, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections scheduled for February 21, 2026.

Amupitan also touched on the commission’s successful conduct of the Anambra State off-cycle Governorship Election in November 2025, just days after he assumed office.

The election was a testament to INEC’s preparedness, with over 2.8 million eligible voters across 5,718 polling units, and the deployment of inclusive measures such as sign language interpreters.

The focus now shifts to the FCT Area Council Elections, where 1.68 million registered voters across 2,822 polling units will go to the polls.

The election will feature 570 candidates, with races for 68 constituencies, including chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councillorship positions. Non-sensitive materials have already been delivered, while sensitive materials will arrive just a day before the election.

The commission has also conducted mock accreditation for voters, ensuring smooth use of the Biometric Voter Authentication System (BVAS) to ensure transparency and secure transmission of results.

The commission is also intensifying its efforts to enhance voter inclusivity, with targeted programs aimed at empowering voters with disabilities.

As part of its commitment to transparency, INEC has accredited 83 domestic and five international observers for the FCT polls.

Voter education initiatives are also being expanded to ensure that the electorate is informed, particularly with the upcoming bye-elections in Rivers and Kano States.

Amupitan stressed the importance of voter confidence, announcing that a nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise would be launched to clean up the voter register ahead of the 2027 elections.

This initiative comes in response to persistent challenges in voter registration, including duplicate entries, underage registrations, and deceased voters.

The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process, which commenced in August 2025, has seen over 2.7 million new registrants. INEC encouraged citizens to take advantage of the remaining phase of the CVR, which runs until April 2026, to ensure that every eligible Nigerian is registered.

The commission has also handled over 170 requests from associations seeking to be registered as political parties. Some associations have not met the constitutional requirements, but INEC is expected to announce the successful parties soon

Amupitan reiterated the commission’s role in ensuring that political parties abide by the law, as the nation moves closer to the 2027 elections.

The INEC chairman equally called on stakeholders to join forces in encouraging voter participation and promoting a peaceful electoral environment.

He also urged CSOs to help mobilise voters in the FCT to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the February 10 deadline, emphasizing the importance of a credible and transparent election process.

As the nation prepares for the 2027 General Elections, INEC remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s democracy continues to thrive, regardless of challenges. This is a collective responsibility, one in which every citizen and organisation has a vital role to play.

CSOs react …

Reacting to INEC’s declaration ahead of the 2027 polls, CSOs raised concerns that the   delayed Electoral Amendment process may impede the election.

The executive director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, said INEC is getting prepared for the 2027 general elections but the delay in concluding the amendments is impacting on the commission’s preparations.

Itodo in an interview with LEADERSHIP said: “from all indications, it appears the commission is getting prepared for the elections. However, the delay in concluding the amendments is impacting on the commission’s preparations.

“It is important for the  entire reform process to be concluded within a week else INEC must issue the timetable of elections based on the 2022 Electoral Act.

“The commission will run foul of the law if it fails to do so. There are a couple of activities that must be concluded before we can attest to the commission’s readiness for the 2027 elections.

“The 2026 budget is not approved, the CVR is ongoing, party primaries are yet to be conducted etc. All these activities will determined whether INEC is prepared.”

In like manner, executive director, CREAP Africa Initiative, Sylvanus Udoenoh expressed concern over the delays in the passage of the Electoral Act and INEC’s repeated assurance of its readiness to deliver a credible 2027 general elections, despite the commission’s refused affirmation.

He said, “we are following the commission’s early planning, including institutional and operational systems strengthening approaches. We are also with them in their planned voter revalidation exercise.

“We are concerned about INEC readiness for the 2027 general elections, not without a few caveats. The Commission recently clarified that it has not officially released the timetable or schedule of activities for the 2027 elections, rejecting circulating reports and affirming strict adherence to legal timelines as provided in the current Electoral Act.

“This highlights both a commitment to compliance and an ongoing constraint: the final legal framework under the amended Electoral Act remains unsettled, tightening the operational window for INEC to implement reforms that would enhance transparency and efficiency. CSOs and stakeholders have warned that delays in law reform may undermine planning and public confidence if not resolved promptly.

“CREAP Africa Initiative believes that while INEC has taken positive steps toward readiness — particularly in institutional development and preparations like voter register revalidation — the real test will be its ability to operate with legal certainty, adequate funding, and strong public engagement.

“We call on the commission to  transparently communicate practical positions, to ensure robust election planning structures are well in place, before key statutory deadlines, and work with all stakeholders to safeguard electoral integrity. It is only by addressing these challenges proactively, that INEC can truly realize its stated goal of conducting credible, inclusive, and peaceful elections in 2027.”

For his part, executive director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa-Rafsanjani, said credible elections in 2027 will be ifficult without amending the Electoral law.

“It is difficult to conduct free fair and credible elections in 2027 without amending the electoral law to address numerous challenges including Closing loopholes exposed in 2023 election.

The need to ensure Strengthening transmission of results and  INEC’s powers and obligations are essential.

“Therefore not amending the law  INEC may again operate with grey areas, opening space for disputes and litigation.

“Inconsistent use of technology Result transmission failures Weak accountability for officials who violated guidelines can affect the integrity of 2027 elections.

“Therefore INEC’s Readiness without institutional reform would further undermine trust and public confidence for 2027,” he added.