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ABUJA – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering conducting a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology systems and staging a mock presidential election as part of efforts to strengthen preparations for the 2027 general elections.
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 being considered in response to concerns raised after the 2023 general election, particularly regarding the reliability of election technology.
He said the commission was examining the possibility of subjecting all its electoral technology systems to a full audit before the next general election, while also conducting a nationwide mock presidential poll to test the readiness of its technological infrastructure and operational processes.
The INEC chairman noted that although the initiatives were not included in the commission’s current budget, they could become necessary investments in strengthening the credibility of the 2027 elections.
He explained that the proposals align with INEC’s broader efforts to improve technological reliability through the continued deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), alongside an ongoing review of its cyber-security architecture covering system redundancy, penetration testing and disaster recovery mechanisms.
Amupitan stressed that public confidence in elections depends significantly on the integrity and reliability of the commission’s technology and operational processes.
He also identified election technology and cyber-security as key areas of collaboration between INEC and the United Kingdom, noting that the commission has continued to benefit from technical support provided by the UK government and other development partners, including the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
Reaffirming INEC’s commitment to credible elections, the chairman said the commission remained determined to deliver transparent polls that reflect the will of Nigerians, while emphasising that electoral integrity requires the collective efforts of political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and citizens.
Earlier, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic development, saying the UK has a strong interest in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Montgomery, who was accompanied by Governance Adviser, Dr. Matthew Ayibakuro, and Political Counsellor, Greta Morris, said the visit was aimed at gaining a better 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 said discussions on Nigeria’s electoral future featured prominently during the recently concluded National Assembly Open Week, where stakeholders examined constitutional reforms and other governance issues.
The envoy noted that Nigeria occupies a strategic position in the UK’s engagement with Africa under the bilateral partnership signed by both countries, covering areas such as security, defence, migration, justice and governance.
“We would like to regard ourselves as partners in your democratic journey,” he added.
Montgomery also said the UK government had been closely monitoring INEC’s preparations for the 2027 elections, including recent off-cycle elections in Ekiti, the Federal Capital Territory and Anambra, as well as ongoing preparations for the Osun governorship election.
He described Britain’s engagement as a demonstration of both moral and practical support, referencing the strategic partnership signed by Nigeria and the United Kingdom in 2024, as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the UK in March.
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 working relationship with INEC and deepen cooperation as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The proposed systems audit and mock presidential election come as INEC continues to review lessons from the 2023 general election, with increasing emphasis on strengthening technological resilience, enhancing transparency and restoring public confidence in the electoral process ahead of Nigeria’s next nationwide polls.
