The Independent National Electoral Commission is considering a nationwide mock presidential election and a full audit of its electoral technology systems as part of measures to strengthen preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The proposal was revealed by the Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), during a meeting with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
The planned initiatives are designed to enhance the credibility of future elections and respond to concerns that emerged after the 2023 general election, particularly those relating to the effectiveness and reliability of the commission’s election technology.
As part of the reforms, the commission is exploring the feasibility of organising a nationwide mock presidential election ahead of the 2027 polls to evaluate the readiness of its electoral processes and technology.
Amupitan explained that the exercise would provide an opportunity to assess operational preparedness, identify possible vulnerabilities and ensure that critical election technology functions effectively under real election conditions.
“The commission was looking at the possibility of auditing all its systems ahead of the 2027 election, as well as conducting a mock presidential election, to test the readiness of its processes and technology before the actual polls,” he said.
He acknowledged that the proposed initiatives were not included in the commission’s initial budget but emphasised that INEC would explore ways to execute them because of their significance in promoting electoral transparency and boosting public confidence.
Beyond the proposed mock election, the electoral commission is reviewing its technological infrastructure as part of broader reforms ahead of the next general election. The review includes sustained deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), alongside measures aimed at strengthening cyber security.
According to Amupitan, the assessment also covers system redundancy, penetration testing and disaster recovery mechanisms intended to safeguard election data while improving the commission’s operational efficiency.
He stressed that the credibility of elections is closely tied to the dependability of the technology deployed by the commission, adding that INEC is determined to draw lessons from previous elections and address identified shortcomings before Nigerians head to the polls in 2027.
The INEC chairman also identified election technology and cyber security as key areas of collaboration between Nigeria and its international partners. He expressed appreciation for the support provided by the United Kingdom and organisations such as the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
Amupitan reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to delivering credible, transparent and inclusive elections, noting that successful electoral outcomes require the collective participation of political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and the electorate.
Speaking during the visit, Montgomery said the UK Government has continued to follow developments in Nigeria’s electoral landscape and preparations for future elections.
The British envoy noted that the UK has monitored recent off-cycle elections and ongoing preparations for forthcoming polls, describing support for Nigeria’s democratic process as a vital component of the relationship between both countries.
He cited the strategic partnership signed by Nigeria and the United Kingdom in 2024, as well as President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the UK earlier this year, as indicators of the expanding cooperation between the two nations.
Montgomery, who is expected to conclude his diplomatic posting in Nigeria in the coming weeks, assured the commission of Britain’s continued support. He expressed confidence that his successor would sustain close collaboration with INEC as preparations for the 2027 general election continue.
