The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the commission has the capacity to electronically transmit election results in 2027, even though it cannot promise a flawless process.
Speaking during a live Citizens’ Town Hall programme on Sunday themed “Electoral Act 2026: What it Means for Your Votes and the 2027 Elections,” Amupitan appealed to Nigerians to manage their expectations.
He said while INEC would work hard to deliver credible polls, perfection may not be realistic.
“Nigerians desire a perfect election, and we will strive to give this country the best election possible. But we may not be able to achieve a 100 per cent perfect election for now,” he said.
On electronic transmission, a key issue since the 2023 general elections, Amupitan maintained that INEC has the capacity to transmit results. However, he noted that defining and achieving real-time transmission remains a challenge, particularly in remote areas with poor network coverage.
Citing the recent FCT Area Council elections, he explained how results from Kabi ward in Kuje were delayed due to difficult terrain and communication barriers. According to him, while five of the six area councils reported on time, officials deployed to Kabi became unreachable for hours, forcing INEC to physically retrieve the results before collation.
He stressed that logistics, not transmission technology itself, remains the bigger challenge.
“Your election can only be as good as your logistics. Where there is logistics failure, you are beginning to fail,” he said, admitting that some human and operational lapses occurred but were being addressed.
Amupitan expressed optimism that the 2027 elections would mark a significant improvement, citing increased voter awareness and stronger public demand for accountability.
He described elections as the lifeblood of democracy and emphasised the importance of voter education and transparency in strengthening public trust.
INEC Begins Review of Party Regulations
Meanwhile, INEC has launched a comprehensive review of its regulations and guidelines for political parties to align them with the Electoral Act 2026 ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to the commission, the review aims to improve oversight of political parties, reduce pre-election disputes, strengthen compliance and enhance public confidence in the electoral process.
The exercise will involve national commissioners, legal experts, election administrators and other stakeholders. It is also receiving technical support from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
INEC said the Electoral Act 2026 introduced significant changes affecting party administration, candidate nominations, financial reporting and dispute resolution. As part of reforms, the commission is focusing on financial accountability, accurate membership documentation and measurable inclusion of women, youth and persons with disabilities in party structures.
Parties Begin Digital Membership Registration
In response to the new legal requirements, major political parties have begun updating their membership records digitally.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a nationwide electronic membership registration exercise, which began on March 2 and is expected to last three weeks. The party says the exercise is necessary to comply with the law requiring parties to submit digital membership registers to INEC.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rolled out free online membership registration nationwide, asking both new and existing members to update their details in line with the Electoral Act 2026.
Read Also;
Lagos APC Fixes March 3 for 2026 State Congress
Sources within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) indicate that the party may soon resume its e-registration exercise to allow more Nigerians to enrol.
Following earlier criticisms over election dates coinciding with Ramadan, INEC revised its timetable. Presidential and National Assembly elections are now scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
With reforms underway and parties adjusting to new rules, INEC says its focus is clear: build a transparent system that earns public trust and delivers Nigeria’s most credible elections yet in 2027.
