INEC: Osun, Ekiti, FCT Elections to Test Readiness for 2027 Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the off-cycle governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February 2026, will serve as key test runs ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this at the opening of a two-day Induction and Strategic Retreat held in Lagos. He noted that although the 2027 general election remains the Commission’s primary focus, INEC must first successfully manage several critical electoral exercises before then.

According to Amupitan, the retreat was organised to familiarise newly appointed Commission Members and Resident Electoral Commissioners with INEC’s institutional structure, administrative procedures, communication systems, and ethical standards.

“These elections will provide important opportunities to fine-tune voter register management, election logistics, and the deployment of technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS),” he said.

The INEC chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive, as preparations intensify for the 2027 polls.

He explained that INEC is deliberately strengthening its leadership capacity, operational efficiency, and institutional coordination in response to growing public expectations of the electoral process.

Amupitan further stressed that early planning, strategic collaboration, and strict adherence to the rule of law would be critical to the success and credibility of the 2027 general election.

He outlined five core principles guiding the Commission’s mandate: conducting elections free from interference; ensuring fairness to all political parties and candidates; delivering outcomes that inspire confidence locally and internationally; guaranteeing transparency at every stage of the process; and promoting inclusivity so that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.

Speaking at the event, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami, described the retreat as a major milestone in INEC’s ongoing institutional development.

Salami said the engagement offers an avenue for reflection, strategic alignment, and institutional consolidation, particularly at a time when public expectations of the electoral process are higher than ever, adding that early planning and strong coordination remain essential as the Commission works towards the 2027 general election.