INEC Considers Mock Presidential Election Ahead of 2027 Polls
The Independent National Electoral Commission is considering conducting a mock presidential election and a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology systems ahead of the 2027 general election to test the reliability of its processes and technology.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Thursday while receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, during a courtesy visit to the commission's headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement posted on INEC's official X account, the proposals were prompted by concerns raised following the 2023 general election, particularly over the reliability of election technology.
The commission is considering auditing all its electoral systems before the 2027 polls and staging a mock presidential election to assess the readiness of its processes and technological infrastructure ahead of the nationwide vote.
Amupitan said the proposed exercises were not included in the commission's current budget but noted that INEC would explore ways to implement them if they prove necessary to strengthen the credibility of the electoral process.
He added that the commission was intensifying efforts to improve the reliability of its technology, including the continued deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
The INEC chairman also revealed that the commission was reviewing its cyber-security framework, with a focus on system redundancy, penetration testing and disaster recovery mechanisms to enhance the resilience of its electoral technology.
Speaking during the visit, Montgomery said the United Kingdom had been closely monitoring INEC's preparations for the 2027 general election, including recent off-cycle elections in Ekiti, the Federal Capital Territory and Anambra, as well as preparations for the upcoming Osun State governorship election.
The British envoy, who is expected to conclude his tenure in Nigeria in about six weeks, reaffirmed the UK's commitment to supporting INEC, expressing confidence that his successor would continue the partnership in the build-up to the 2027 general election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Thursday while receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, during a courtesy visit to the commission's headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement posted on INEC's official X account, the proposals were prompted by concerns raised following the 2023 general election, particularly over the reliability of election technology.
The commission is considering auditing all its electoral systems before the 2027 polls and staging a mock presidential election to assess the readiness of its processes and technological infrastructure ahead of the nationwide vote.
Amupitan said the proposed exercises were not included in the commission's current budget but noted that INEC would explore ways to implement them if they prove necessary to strengthen the credibility of the electoral process.
He added that the commission was intensifying efforts to improve the reliability of its technology, including the continued deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
The INEC chairman also revealed that the commission was reviewing its cyber-security framework, with a focus on system redundancy, penetration testing and disaster recovery mechanisms to enhance the resilience of its electoral technology.
Speaking during the visit, Montgomery said the United Kingdom had been closely monitoring INEC's preparations for the 2027 general election, including recent off-cycle elections in Ekiti, the Federal Capital Territory and Anambra, as well as preparations for the upcoming Osun State governorship election.
The British envoy, who is expected to conclude his tenure in Nigeria in about six weeks, reaffirmed the UK's commitment to supporting INEC, expressing confidence that his successor would continue the partnership in the build-up to the 2027 general election.
