Reps Give INEC Chairman 7-Day Ultimatum Over 2027 Election Readiness
The House of Representatives has given the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, seven legislative days to brief lawmakers on the commission’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
The House directed Amupitan to appear before its Committee on Electoral Matters and provide a comprehensive update on Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), Permanent Voter Card (PVC) production and distribution, election logistics, technology deployment, personnel training, security and funding.
Lawmakers also demanded a detailed report on the readiness of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), alongside electoral risk assessments, recruitment of election officials and outstanding budgetary releases.
The resolutions followed the adoption of an amended motion sponsored by the Minority Whip, Hon. Mansur Manu Soro (APM, Bauchi), and the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki (ADC, Sokoto), during Wednesday’s plenary.
Moving the motion, Soro said the credibility and peaceful conduct of the 2027 elections would depend largely on INEC’s early preparations, adequate funding, effective logistics, voter education, technology and security coordination.
He cited lessons from the recent Ekiti State governorship election, stressing the need to address operational challenges observed in election administration, technology deployment, logistics and stakeholder engagement.
The lawmaker also raised concerns over reported difficulties at Continuous Voter Registration centres, including inadequate equipment and personnel, network failures and prolonged waiting times.
He warned that these challenges could disenfranchise first-time voters, rural residents, students, workers and persons with disabilities if urgent corrective measures were not taken.
Soro urged early action to close existing gaps, warning that delays in funding, registration, logistics and technology deployment could undermine public confidence and threaten the conduct of credible, inclusive and peaceful elections in 2027.
He said the National Assembly’s oversight role was essential to ensuring that INEC was adequately prepared, properly funded and accountable ahead of the polls.
