By Tracy Moses
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology infrastructure and a mock presidential election ahead of the 2027 general elections as part of efforts to reinforce public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), disclosed this on Thursday while receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to Amupitan, the proposals are among a series of reforms being considered by the Commission following lessons from the 2023 general election, particularly concerns over the performance and reliability of election technology.
He said INEC is evaluating the possibility of carrying out a comprehensive audit of all its electoral technology systems while also staging a nationwide mock presidential election to test the functionality of its technology, logistics and operational processes before Nigerians go to the polls in 2027.
The INEC chairman explained that although the initiatives were not originally included in the Commission’s budget, the electoral body would explore avenues for their implementation if they are considered necessary to further strengthen electoral integrity and public trust.
He noted that the proposals align with the Commission’s broader strategy of enhancing election management through improved technology deployment and stronger cyber-security measures.
Amupitan said INEC would continue to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), while reviewing its cyber-security architecture to improve system resilience through enhanced redundancy, penetration testing and disaster recovery mechanisms.
He stressed that credible elections depend not only on legal and administrative frameworks but also on the reliability and security of the technology supporting the electoral process.
The INEC chairman further noted that election technology and cyber-security remain important areas of collaboration between the Commission and the United Kingdom, adding that INEC has continued to receive technical assistance from the UK Government and development partners, including the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to credible elections, Amupitan said INEC would continue strengthening its systems to ensure future elections are transparent, inclusive and reflective of the will of Nigerians.
He also underscored the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding the electoral process, saying political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and citizens all have critical roles to play in delivering credible elections.
Earlier, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic development and electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Montgomery, accompanied by Governance Adviser, Dr. Matthew Ayibakuro, and Political Counsellor, Greta Morris, said the visit was aimed at gaining a clearer understanding of INEC’s preparations for forthcoming elections, including the Osun State governorship election and the 2027 general polls.
“We have a very strong interest and investment in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Montgomery said.
“I hope you will take our interest in your democratic process as a sign of support, both moral and, in a small way, some practical support that we have been discussing with you in the run-up to 2027.”
He described the United Kingdom as a longstanding partner in Nigeria’s democratic journey, saying the relationship extends beyond elections to governance, security, justice, migration and institutional reforms under the strategic partnership between both countries.
“We would like to regard ourselves as partners in your democratic journey,” he added.
The High Commissioner, who is expected to conclude his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria in about six weeks, expressed confidence that his successor would sustain the strong partnership with INEC as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
If implemented, the proposed systems audit and mock presidential election would rank among INEC’s most significant pre-election reforms, providing an opportunity to stress-test its technological and operational capacity while addressing concerns raised after the 2023 general election. The measures are expected to strengthen transparency, improve institutional preparedness and deepen public confidence ahead of the 2027 nationwide polls.