2027: INEC to Conduct Mock Presidential Poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will conduct a mock presidential election ahead of the 2027 general election.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, made this known on Sunday during a Citizens’ Town Hall on the 2026 Electoral Act.

“Moving forward, we will conduct mock presidential elections to ensure that transmission across state lines is seamless before the actual vote,” Amupitan said at the event held in Abuja.

Debates about the real-time transmission of election results have dominated headlines in Nigeria in recent months, particularly in the lead-up to the passage and signing of the Electoral Act 2026.

The issue was the subject of intense debate following the 2023 presidential election after INEC reported a “glitch” in the transmission of results.

However, Amupitan, a professor of law, assured Nigerians of improvements ahead of the 2027 general election.

“Regarding the ‘glitch’ that was blamed for issues in 2023, let me be clear: the glitch has been eliminated. It will not recur,” he said.

“My audit of the 2023 election showed that while the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) was tested in state-level elections such as Osun and Ekiti, it was not properly tested for the scale of a nationwide presidential election.”

INEC further assured Nigerians of a credible poll, promising to eliminate technical challenges.

“By the grace of God, the 2027 election will be the best Nigeria has ever had. The electorate in 2027 is more aware and understands the direct correlation between elections and national development,” Amupitan said.

“We want a process that guarantees the legitimacy and confidence people expect to see in the system. When people trust INEC and their leaders, the country will move forward.”

He added that INEC is putting in the necessary work to ensure that next year’s elections are credible.

“Result management and logistics are two critical issues that, from our end, we are working to manage effectively in order to enhance the transparency and credibility of the system,” he said.