• Super Admin
• 08 Mar, 2026

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan During the recent Town Hall meeting organised by the Civil Society Network on election integrity in Abuja on the 2026 Electoral Act, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, assured Nigerians that electronic transmission of results would not fail in the 2027 elections. Amupitan said next year's election would be the best in the history of the country. "But I want to assure you that the election of 2027 will be the best election that Nigerians will have because Nigerians of 2023 are different from what you have in 2027. People are much more aware. And you know the correlation between elections and development." He also vowed to eliminate technical glitches that marred previous polls, particularly the 2023 elections. However, he also said that the commission would not guarantee a 100 per cent perfect election. The INEC boss probably added the caveat of not guaranteeing a 100 per cent perfect election because of the high expectations of Nigerians on the 2027 polls. In 2023, former INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, promised to deliver the best election in the country. Unfortunately, Yakubu could not fulfil that solemn promise to Nigerians. Having experienced failed promises on credible elections, Nigerians expect fair, free and credible elections in 2027. They won't entertain any excuse from INEC this time around. For them, there should be no margin for error in the conduct of the 2027 elections. Enough is enough. That is why Amupitan should do everything within his powers to ensure the credibility of the 2027 polls. Amupitan's promise of conducting the best election in the history of Nigeria is commendable and acceptable. That is exactly what Nigerians expect from him, not excuses. We urge him to conduct an election where the loser will readily congratulate the loser as he has promised. We believe he can do so. Nevertheless, the caveat that he would not guarantee a 100 per cent perfect election appears to contradict his earlier promise of conducting a credible poll. What Nigerians want from INEC chairman is clarity and firmness in communication. This is not the time for ambiguity or statements that send mixed signals to the electorate. The voters want their votes to count. They want their wishes to be respected. They want statements that will instil confidence in the electoral system. Although there is hardly anywhere in the world where there is a 100 per cent perfect election, that should not be used as an excuse to bungle the 2027 polls. Indeed, we should aim at having the best election ever. Nigerians have become tired of excuses from former heads of the electoral body; they want no more in 2027. The minimum expected from Amupitan and his team is free, fair, credible and transparent poll in 2027. In fact, Nigerians want INEC to conduct an election that would be generally acceptable. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the 2027election reflects the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians. The 1993 presidential election in Nigeria has been adjudged the freest and fairest in the country. Nigerians want a re-enactment of that electoral feat. It can be done. The INEC chairman should be bold and categorical in assuring Nigerians of a free and fair election. To rely on semantics and sophistry to address issues of election is misleading and self-indicting. Given Nigerians' experience with too many failed electoral promises, the people want concrete assurance that the 2027 election will be free and fair. The caveat that there would be no perfect election is scary and depressing. It portends an ominous sign that borders on manipulation of the electoral process. There should be no interference in our electoral system. He should realise that the world is watching Nigeria. The 2027 election offers him a rare opportunity to secure a place in our electoral history. He should not bungle it. Nigerians are eager to exercise their civic responsibility in the next election. The INEC boss should not scare them with ambiguous statements on the poll. Such ambivalent messages should be minimized to avoid undermining the integrity of the electoral process. Although Nigeria's democracy has made modest progress since 1999, there are many factors to suggest that it is still fragile. Therefore, all the stakeholders must do their best to avoid heating the polity or making utterances that will undermine the integrity of the election. If the electorate do not vote, if they fail to participate in the election, then our democracy is doomed. Source: https://thesun.ng/inec-and-credibility-of-2027-elections/