Why We Can’t Shift 2027 Poll -INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has ruled out any postponement of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the electoral timetable is fixed and preparations are on course.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, also announced that the commission would release the final voters’ register on December 15, following the conclusion of its ongoing verification and correction exercise.

Amupitan spoke on Saturday during an interactive meeting with INEC staff members and Resident Electoral Commissioners from the six South-South states in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he assessed the commission’s preparedness for the elections.

His assurance comes amid claims by some political parties that the general elections could be postponed.

He, however, dismissed any possibility of shifting the polls, saying the commission was committed to conducting the elections in accordance with the law and its published timetable.

“Our statutory timeline is fixed. We will not change anything. The election must hold as scheduled,” he declared.

The INEC chairman also said Rivers State would receive special attention during preparations because of its strategic electoral importance and the number of registered voters in the state.

He disclosed that Rivers had 3,736,434 registered voters, the highest in the South-South, followed by Delta with 3,525,988 and Edo with 2,865,263.

Akwa Ibom has 2,566,198 registered voters, Cross River 1,928,978 and Bayelsa 1,200,691.

Amupitan said the commission would ensure that operational failures did not disenfranchise voters, particularly in states with large voting populations.

“With the 3,736,434 registered voters for Rivers State, the state leads the South-South. By this, the commission will put more attention to what happens in Rivers State. It is your duty to ensure that no voter is disenfranchised because of operational failures,” he told the officials.

On the voters’ register, the INEC chairman said the commission had published the preliminary register online and at designated locations to allow eligible voters to verify their details and raise objections.

He disclosed that the commission had received more than 5,000 requests for corrections, including changes to names and dates of birth, as well as over 600 objections, which were being processed ahead of the release of the final register.

Amupitan said INEC had initially considered conducting a fresh voter revalidation exercise after he assumed office but abandoned the proposal because of concerns that it would be too close to the general elections.

According to him, the Osun election recorded the highest voter turnout in the history of off-cycle governorship elections in the country and was adjudged credible locally and internationally despite earlier security concerns.

“Osun State elections gave us the confidence that we can achieve this despite the noise. It is good that we had a series of those elections before the general elections because we learn lessons from every election,” he said.

He added that the commission would build on the experience gained from the off-cycle elections to improve its preparations for the 2027 general elections.

“We will conduct elections that will move the nation forward and not an election that will bring it down,” he said.

On security, Amupitan said INEC was collaborating with security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services, to guarantee the safety of voters, electoral personnel, ad hoc staff and election materials.

He said the commission would not encourage Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards without ensuring that adequate security arrangements were in place for them to exercise their voting rights.