The Independent National Electoral Commission is weighing a full audit of its election technology systems and a mock presidential election ahead of 2027, Joash Amupitan, the commission's chairman, has disclosed. He shared this during a visit by Britain's high commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, at INEC's headquarters in Abuja.
The audit and simulation exercises stem from concerns raised by the 2023 general election, particularly regarding how reliably the technology performed. Amupitan explained that INEC wants to test its systems and processes before voters head to the polls in 2027.
These proposals weren't included in INEC's original budget, but Amupitan said the commission will find a way to fund them if needed. He stressed that their value in bolstering public trust in the election is worth the investment.
The chairman linked the planned exercises to INEC's wider push to strengthen its technological systems. This includes continued use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal.
INEC is also reviewing its cyber-security framework, which covers system backups, penetration testing and plans to recover from disasters. According to Amupitan, these steps are essential because voters' confidence hinges on how well the commission's technology and processes work.
The chairman pointed to election technology and cyber-security as key areas where INEC and the United Kingdom collaborate. He noted that the commission values its partnerships with the UK, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and other international partners.
Amupitan stressed that delivering credible, transparent elections that reflect Nigerians' will is INEC's goal. He added that this is a shared responsibility involving political parties, security agencies, civil society groups, development partners and citizens.
Montgomery, speaking about why he came, said his team has been closely watching INEC's work on the 2027 election. He highlighted the commission's recent off-cycle elections in Ekiti, the Federal Capital Territory and Anambra, as well as its current preparations for Osun State's governorship race.
The British government's interest in Nigeria's democracy shows both moral and practical commitment, Montgomery said. He cited the 2024 strategic partnership between the two governments and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's state visit to the United Kingdom in March.
The high commissioner noted he will wrap up his assignment in about six weeks. He assured INEC that Britain will continue backing the commission under his successor, expressing confidence that the incoming envoy will maintain a strong working relationship with the electoral body.
