Amanze Chinonye
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct a nationwide mock accreditation exercise in November to assess the readiness of its systems and personnel ahead of the 2027 general elections, Chairman Joash Amupitan said on Friday, Prime Business Africa reports.
Join our WhatsApp Channel
The exercise will provide the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with an opportunity to test the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), other election technology and its operational procedures under conditions designed to replicate election-day activities.
READ ALSO :
Foundation Demands INEC Release Forensic Report on Alleged Fake Account Linked to Prof. Amupitan
Amupitan announced the plan in Abuja during a meeting with a delegation from the Canadian High Commission led by Canada’s Chargé d’Affaires, David Sproule.
He identified the nationwide exercise as one of five priorities guiding the commission’s preparations for the 2027 elections. The agenda also includes strengthening the use of technology, widening voter participation, improving institutional capacity and technical support, and tackling misinformation and other threats to electoral integrity.
The commission has been drawing lessons from recent off-cycle elections as it prepares for the 2027 polls. Amupitan pointed to the Aug. 15 Osun State governorship election, where INEC said 3,556 of the state’s 3,763 polling units, or 94.5%, had opened for accreditation and voting by 8:30 a.m.
The chairman said the commission was assessing the performance of BVAS, electronic results transmission and other aspects of the Osun election as part of efforts to improve its preparations for the nationwide polls.
The commission expects the 2027 election to require the deployment of about 1.4 million ad hoc personnel to more than 176,000 polling units, making logistics and personnel coordination a major component of its preparations.
READ MORE :
Appeal Court Restores INEC’s 2027 Election Guidelines, Reverses High Court Judgment
INEC is also developing measures to address the growing use of artificial intelligence in the electoral environment. It has established an AI unit to explore applications of the technology in areas such as voter registration and data management, while monitoring risks associated with deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation.
The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for Jan. 16, 2027, followed by governorship and State House of Assembly elections on Feb. 6.
The November mock accreditation will come about two months before the first round of voting, giving INEC a final nationwide opportunity to assess its election technology, logistics and operational procedures and correct weaknesses before millions of Nigerians head to the polls.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
