INEC Considers Mock Presidential Election, Technology Audit Ahead of 2027 Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering conducting a mock presidential election and a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), disclosed the proposal in Abuja while receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, during a courtesy visit to the commission's headquarters.

According to Amupitan, the planned initiatives were prompted by concerns raised after the 2023 general elections, particularly regarding the performance and reliability of the commission's election technology.

He explained that the proposed mock presidential election would allow INEC to test its operational readiness and technological systems before the 2027 polls, while a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology would help identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

Although the initiatives are not included in the commission's current budget, Amupitan said INEC would explore ways to implement them because of their importance in strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.

The INEC chairman said the proposals form part of broader efforts to improve the commission's technological infrastructure, including the continued deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

He also revealed that the commission is reviewing its cybersecurity framework with a focus on system redundancy, penetration testing, and disaster recovery measures to enhance the resilience of its digital infrastructure.

Amupitan stressed that the credibility of future elections depends largely on the reliability of INEC's technology and operational processes, adding that the commission remains committed to addressing shortcomings identified during previous elections.

He identified election technology and cybersecurity as key areas of collaboration with the United Kingdom, noting that INEC has continued to receive technical support from the UK and other development partners, including the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

Reaffirming the commission's commitment to transparent, credible, and inclusive elections, Amupitan said protecting Nigeria's electoral integrity requires the collective efforts of political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, and citizens.

Earlier, British High Commissioner Richard Montgomery said the UK has been closely following INEC's preparations for the 2027 general elections, including its conduct of recent off-cycle elections and preparations for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.

Montgomery noted that the UK's support for Nigeria's electoral process is part of the strategic partnership established between both countries in 2024 and strengthened during President Bola Tinubu's state visit to the United Kingdom in March.

The envoy, who is expected to conclude his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria within the next six weeks, assured the commission that the UK would continue to support Nigeria's electoral reforms and preparations for the 2027 general elections under his successor.