INEC Weighs Full Technology Audit, Mock Presidential Poll to Strengthen 2027 Elections
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Uzochukwu Lyon Duruji
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology infrastructure and the conduct of a mock presidential election as part of preparations for Nigeria's 2027 general election.
The proposal was disclosed by the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, at the Commission's headquarters in Abuja.
According to the INEC Chairman, the proposed measures are currently under consideration by the Commission and are aimed at strengthening public confidence in the electoral process through improved technological reliability and operational preparedness.
Prof. Amupitan explained that the initiative was informed by experiences from the 2023 general election, particularly concerns surrounding the performance and public perception of election technology. He said the Commission is exploring the possibility of carrying out a comprehensive audit of all its electoral systems while also organising a nationwide mock presidential election to assess the readiness of its personnel, infrastructure and digital platforms before the actual 2027 polls.
He noted that although the proposed exercises were not included in the Commission's approved budget, INEC would explore practical options for implementation because of their potential importance in enhancing electoral transparency and credibility.
The INEC Chairman stated that the Commission remains committed to strengthening the integrity of its technological infrastructure, including the continued deployment and improvement of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). He added that the Commission is also reviewing its cyber-security framework with emphasis on system redundancy, penetration testing, disaster recovery mechanisms and protection against cyber threats.
According to him, public trust in elections depends significantly on the reliability of electoral technology and the transparency of the processes supporting it. He assured Nigerians that lessons from previous elections are being carefully examined to address identified gaps before the 2027 general election.
Prof. Amupitan further highlighted election technology and cyber-security as key areas of cooperation between INEC and the United Kingdom. He expressed appreciation for the technical assistance received from the UK Government and development partners, including the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), in supporting Nigeria's electoral reforms and institutional capacity.
He reaffirmed INEC's commitment to conducting elections that are free, fair, transparent and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people. The Commission, he said, recognises that credible elections require the collective support of political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, the media and the electorate.
Earlier in his remarks, British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery said the United Kingdom has been closely monitoring INEC's preparations for the 2027 general election, including recent off-cycle elections conducted in Ekiti State, the Federal Capital Territory and Anambra State, as well as preparations for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
Dr. Montgomery described the UK's engagement with Nigeria's electoral process as part of its long-standing commitment to supporting democratic governance. He noted that the strategic partnership signed by both countries in 2024, alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's state visit to the United Kingdom earlier this year, has further strengthened bilateral cooperation.
The British envoy, who disclosed that he would conclude his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria within the next six weeks, expressed confidence that his successor would continue to work closely with INEC in supporting preparations for the 2027 elections.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of widespread public debate that followed the 2023 general election, during which concerns were raised by political parties, election observers and civil society organisations regarding the operation of some electoral technologies, particularly the uploading of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). Although INEC maintained that the election was conducted in accordance with the law and that technical challenges experienced in some areas did not substantially affect the outcome, the Commission acknowledged the need for continuous improvements in its systems and procedures.
Since then, INEC has embarked on a series of internal reviews, stakeholder engagements and electoral reform initiatives aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving voter confidence and enhancing transparency in future elections. Electoral technology has increasingly become central to Nigeria's democratic process, with the introduction of BVAS significantly reducing incidents of multiple voting and improving voter accreditation.
Political analysts have generally welcomed the Commission's proposal, describing it as a proactive step towards restoring public confidence ahead of the 2027 elections.
A public affairs analyst, Dr. Chinedu Nwosu, said a comprehensive systems audit would help identify technical vulnerabilities before the election period. According to him, independent testing of electoral technology could improve transparency and reassure stakeholders that necessary safeguards are in place.
Election governance expert, Umaru Bello, noted that a mock presidential election would provide INEC with an opportunity to test its logistics, communication systems, cyber-security infrastructure and result transmission process under conditions similar to a nationwide election. She, however, stressed that the exercise should involve political parties, accredited observers and technology experts to ensure credibility and public acceptance.
Similarly, constitutional lawyer Barrister Emeka Okafor observed that while technology plays an important role in modern elections, institutional integrity, adherence to electoral laws and timely resolution of electoral disputes remain equally critical to democratic credibility. He urged INEC to ensure that recommendations arising from any audit are fully implemented before the commencement of the 2027 election timetable.
Civil society organisations have also argued that transparency throughout the audit process would be essential. They believe publishing key findings and allowing independent experts to evaluate aspects of the Commission's technology would further strengthen public confidence.
With less than a year before political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, INEC's proposed technology audit and mock presidential election are expected to generate significant public and stakeholder interest. If approved and successfully implemented, the initiatives could represent one of the Commission's most comprehensive pre-election confidence-building measures since the introduction of electronic voter accreditation.
