INEC Considers Mock Presidential Election Ahead of 2027 General Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering conducting a mock presidential election alongside a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology systems as part of efforts to strengthen preparations for the 2027 general elections, PulseNets learnt.
The proposal was disclosed by the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), during a meeting with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the INEC chairman, the planned initiatives are designed to enhance the credibility of future elections and address concerns that emerged after the 2023 general election, particularly those relating to the performance and reliability of electoral technology.
PulseNets learnt that the commission is exploring the possibility of conducting a nationwide mock presidential election before the actual 2027 polls to evaluate the effectiveness of its systems.
The exercise, according to Amupitan, is expected to assess the readiness of electoral processes, identify possible gaps and ensure that critical election technology performs efficiently under real election conditions.
“The commission was looking at the possibility of auditing all its systems ahead of the 2027 election, as well as conducting a mock presidential election, to test the readiness of its processes and technology before the actual polls,” he said.
The INEC chairman noted that the proposed initiatives were not originally included in the commission’s budget. He, however, explained that the electoral body would explore ways of implementing them because of their significance in promoting electoral transparency and strengthening public confidence.
PulseNets further learnt that INEC is reviewing its technological infrastructure as part of broader electoral reforms ahead of the next general election. The review includes the continued deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), alongside efforts to improve cyber security.
Amupitan said the review also covers system redundancy, penetration testing and disaster recovery mechanisms aimed at safeguarding election data while improving operational efficiency.
He maintained that public trust in the electoral process depends largely on the reliability and resilience of the technology deployed by the commission.
According to him, INEC remains committed to learning from previous elections and addressing identified shortcomings before Nigerians head to the polls in 2027.
The chairman also identified election technology and cyber security as key areas of collaboration between Nigeria and its international partners. He noted that the commission appreciates the support provided by the United Kingdom and organisations such as the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to delivering credible, transparent and inclusive elections, stressing that successful electoral processes require the collective support of political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and citizens.
Speaking during the visit, British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery said the UK Government has continued to monitor developments in Nigeria’s electoral landscape and preparations for future elections.
“Britain has continued to follow recent off-cycle elections and preparations for upcoming polls, while supporting Nigeria’s democratic process remains an important aspect of the relationship between both countries.”
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Montgomery also pointed to the strategic partnership signed by Nigeria and the United Kingdom in 2024, as well as President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the UK earlier this year, as indicators of strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The envoy, who is expected to conclude his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria in the coming weeks, assured INEC of the UK’s continued support and expressed confidence that his successor would sustain close collaboration with the commission as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.
