NIGERIA: INEC Assures On Election Integrity As 2027 Polls Enter Final 100-Day Countdown

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The Independent National Electoral Commission has entered the final 100-day countdown to the 2027 General Election, assuring Nigerians and the international community of its commitment to neutrality, operational excellence and the integrity of the ballot.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the assurance on Tuesday at a World Press Conference and National Stakeholders’ Meeting marking 100 days to the first ballot at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Amupitan said the Commission had transitioned from planning to execution, with election materials in production, technology undergoing rigorous quality assurance, the voter register finalised for public display and personnel undergoing systematic training.

He said: “As we begin this 100-day sprint to the 2027 General Election, we reassure the nation and the international community of our total commitment to neutrality, operational excellence, and the sacred integrity of the ballot box.”

The INEC chairman described the milestone as more than a countdown, saying it marked the beginning of the final phase of preparations to deliver an election that would serve as a benchmark for transparency, integrity and peace.

Since assuming office on October 23, 2025, Amupitan said the Commission had conducted the Anambra, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, FCT Area Council polls and several federal and state bye-elections.

He said reports submitted by local and international observers showed that the elections met the benchmark for electoral integrity, adding that the polls also provided an opportunity to test structural improvements in election management.

According to him, the improvements included the early deployment of ad hoc personnel and sensitive materials, more agile logistics and intelligence-led security arrangements.

On the election timetable, Amupitan said INEC issued its Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election on February 26, 2026, outlining 14 statutory milestones, nine of which had already been completed.

He said the timetable had subsequently been converted into an operational plan synchronised across the Commission’s 23 headquarters departments and directorates, 36 state offices, the Federal Capital Territory and all 774 Local Government Area offices.

On funding, the INEC chairman acknowledged the timely release of statutory allocations by the Federal Government, saying the funds had enabled the Commission to meet international vendor obligations, finance critical election technology and upgrade infrastructure.

He, however, called for the prompt release of outstanding funds to ensure the seamless implementation of remaining activities.

On the voter register, Amupitan disclosed that the three phases of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise produced 10,772,421 new voters, bringing the National Register of Voters to 103 million.

He said the register would be displayed for public scrutiny from October 9 to 15, 2026, while distribution of Phase One Permanent Voter Cards to Local Government centres would begin on Friday, October 9.

On political parties and candidates, Amupitan said 18 of the 22 registered political parties had submitted 36 presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

He added that the Final List of Candidates for the National Assembly was published on September 12, while the final list for governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates would be published on October 10.

On election technology, the INEC chairman said production was advanced for 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices, with some already delivered.

He added that procurement for the printing of ballot papers and result sheets was also nearing completion as the Commission intensified preparations for the 2027 elections.