INEC Chair Says 2027 Election May Not Be Perfect, Promises Best Poll Yet
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has urged Nigerians to temper expectations ahead of the 2027 general elections, acknowledging that while the commission is committed to delivering credible polls, achieving absolute perfection may not be realistic at this stage.
He made this known during the Citizens’ Town Hall programme on the Electoral Act 2026, where he emphasized that the commission would do its utmost to improve on past performances.
“Let me just appeal to Nigerians… what Nigerians desire is a perfect election. And INEC will strive as much as possible to give this country the best election. However, we may not be able to achieve a 100 per cent perfect election for now.”
Amupitan reiterated that INEC has the infrastructure to electronically transmit election results, clarifying that previous concerns centered mainly on real-time uploads rather than capacity.
“As far as electronic transmission of results is concerned… we have the capacity to transmit the results, and that we’re going to transmit the results. The only concern was real-time.”
Referencing the recent FCT Area Council election, he explained that delayed uploads from Kabi ward in Kuje were caused by difficult terrain and weak network coverage, not an inability to transmit results.
“I don’t see the issue of transmission as really a problem… the problem I have seen is the adequacy of the network we have.”
The INEC boss stressed that sound logistics are central to successful elections, noting that operational shortcomings can undermine the credibility of the entire exercise.
“Your election can be as good as your logistics. So, where there is logistics failure, you know that you are beginning to fail.”
While admitting that some challenges experienced were linked to human errors, he said corrective steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence.
Despite the hurdles, Amupitan expressed optimism that the 2027 elections would reflect significant progress, adding that greater transparency would strengthen public trust and national development.
“I want to assure you that the election of 2027 will be the best election that Nigerians will have… by the time you have a transparent election, and people begin to trust INEC and trust their leaders, then the country will move forward.”
