As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified preparations, stressing the need for early planning, stronger coordination and institutional unity to deliver credible polls.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made this known during a strategic meeting with national and resident electoral commissioners in Lagos, where the commission reviewed its readiness for upcoming elections and outlined measures to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
According to Amupitan, the meeting was convened to develop practical strategies to eliminate interference ahead of the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, as well as the off-cycle governorship elections scheduled to hold later this year in Ekiti and Osun states.
“As we move closer to the 2027 general elections, early planning and strategic coordination are no longer optional. They are critical to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people,” the INEC chairman said.
Amupitan identified data management as one of the most pressing challenges facing election administration, noting that credibility is increasingly judged not only locally but also by the international community. He stressed that proactive measures must be taken to strengthen electoral integrity and public confidence.
“Data management remains a major concern in the organization of credible elections. We must continue to improve our systems and processes to meet global best practices and protect the credibility of our elections,” he added.
Resident Electoral Commissioners from the Federal Capital Territory and Osun State, who participated in the meeting, expressed confidence in INEC’s capacity to build a more robust and transparent electoral system. They said ongoing reforms and stakeholder engagement would help restore public trust and ensure smoother electoral outcomes.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions, assuring citizens that the commission remains focused on delivering elections that are transparent, credible and acceptable to all stakeholders as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
