INEC To Conduct Nationwide Mock Election Ahead Of 2027 Polls

INEC To Conduct Nationwide Mock Election Ahead Of 2027 Polls
Revised election timetable shifts polls to January, February 2027.
Commission assures seamless result transmission, no repeat glitches.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced plans to conduct a nationwide mock presidential election ahead of the 2027 general elections to test its result transmission infrastructure and prevent a repeat of past technical challenges.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Sunday during the Citizens’ Townhall on the Electoral Act 2026 in Abuja. He assured Nigerians that the commission was determined to deliver what he described as the country’s best election.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the announcement comes after a recent adjustment to the 2027 election timetable. The commission had earlier scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for March 6, 2027.

Under the revised timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state assembly polls are slated for February 6, 2027. INEC said the changes were made in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

Speaking at the town hall meeting, Amupitan emphasised the need for thorough testing of electoral technology before deployment.

“Election anywhere in the world is now about technology, but before deploying any technology, it is important to test it thoroughly,” he said.

“One of the things we are trying to do before the election is to have a mock presidential election, so that we are sure that this transmission across the states must not fail.”

He explained that although the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System was piloted in off cycle governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti before the 2023 general elections, it was not sufficiently stress tested for a nationwide presidential poll.

According to him, the commission is focused on ensuring seamless interstate transmission of results during the 2027 elections.

Amupitan expressed confidence that the technical glitches recorded during the 2023 presidential election would not recur. He noted that safeguards had been introduced to prevent similar challenges and clarified that alternative collation methods provided by law are precautionary measures, not replacements for electronic transmission.

The INEC chairman said the commission’s goal is to guarantee smooth transmission, improve logistics and strengthen result collation processes across the country.

The development comes amid debates over the amended Electoral Act 2026, recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The amendment allows both electronic and manual transmission of results depending on operational feasibility, a provision that has drawn criticism from opposition parties seeking mandatory electronic transmission.

INEC To Conduct Nationwide Mock Election Ahead Of 2027 Polls

Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to credible elections, describing transparent polls as central to democratic development. He added that the 2027 electorate is more politically aware and understands the link between elections and national progress.