The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the commission possesses the technical capacity to electronically transmit election results in the 2027 general elections, while cautioning that it may not be able to deliver what many citizens describe as a “100 per cent perfect election.”
Amupitan made the remarks on Sunday during the Citizens’ Town Hall programme, broadcast live on major television networks under the theme, “Electoral Act 2026: What it means for your votes and the 2027 elections.” The debate was anchored by Seun Okinbaloye and the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, and featured a cross-section of political leaders and civil society actors, including Nentawe Yilwatda, Nenadi Usman, Oby Ezekwesili, and Ireti Kingibe, among others.
Addressing the contentious issue of electronic transmission of results—one that dominated public discourse following the 2023 general elections—Amupitan stated unequivocally that the commission has the infrastructure required to transmit results electronically. However, he urged Nigerians to adopt realistic expectations regarding the operational complexities of conducting elections across a vast and diverse country.
He observed that public demand increasingly centres on the idea of a flawless electoral exercise. While affirming INEC’s commitment to delivering the best possible election, he acknowledged that perfection, at least for now, may not be attainable. According to him, the commission will strive for excellence but must operate within logistical, technological, and human constraints.
On electronic transmission specifically, he reiterated that INEC has both the capacity and the intention to transmit results in 2027. The principal concern, he explained, has not been the concept of transmission itself but the interpretation and implementation of “real-time” transmission, particularly in areas with challenging terrain or limited network adequacy.
He referenced the recent Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections as an illustrative case study. While results from five of the six area councils were transmitted without significant delay, difficulties emerged in Kuje Area Council, specifically in Kabi ward. The ward, located approximately three and a half hours from Kuje town and accessible through difficult terrain, experienced delayed result transmission.
According to Amupitan, when polling officials and security personnel entered the ward, communication became impossible due to network limitations. INEC officials could not reach the team by phone, necessitating the dispatch of additional personnel to confirm their safety. The results from Kabi ward were eventually transported physically to Kuje town and collated with the remaining wards before final declaration.
He emphasised that the delay did not stem from unwillingness to transmit electronically but from infrastructural limitations. In his assessment, the broader challenge lies in the adequacy and reliability of network coverage rather than the absence of transmission technology itself. Even within the Federal Capital Territory—widely assumed to have robust telecommunications infrastructure—real-time transmission proved inconsistent in certain locations.
Amupitan stressed that elections are fundamentally logistical operations. The credibility of any poll, he noted, is closely tied to the effectiveness of planning, coordination, and deployment. Where logistics fail, confidence in the electoral process inevitably suffers. He conceded that the FCT elections experienced some logistical shortcomings, including errors attributable to human factors, but assured viewers that corrective measures are underway.
Beyond the technical discussion, the INEC chairman framed elections as central to democratic governance. Citing Abraham Lincoln’s assertion that the ballot is more powerful than bullets, he underscored the importance of voter education and institutional transparency. He warned that voter ignorance poses a threat not only to democratic integrity but also to national security.
In this regard, he highlighted the collaborative role of civil society organisations alongside INEC in promoting transparency and informed participation. He described elections as the lifeblood of democracy and argued that safeguarding their credibility is a shared responsibility between the commission, political parties, civil society, and the electorate.
Turning to the Electoral Act 2026, Amupitan explained that INEC actively participated in the reform process, which began approximately three years ago through a joint committee comprising members of the National Assembly, civil society representatives, and the commission itself. Although much of the drafting work had been completed by the time he assumed office, he said INEC contributed additional provisions and recommendations before the Act was finalised.
He disclosed that during legislative deliberations, INEC advocated for mandatory electronic transmission of results. The initial retreat document from the National Assembly, he noted, differed from the final provision, but subsequent engagements led to stronger language supporting transmission. Nonetheless, debates persisted around defining the precise meaning of real-time transmission within the context of Nigeria’s infrastructural realities.
Amupitan expressed optimism that the 2027 elections would represent a significant improvement over previous cycles. He attributed this confidence partly to heightened voter awareness and growing public demand for accountability. According to him, the Nigerian electorate of 2027 is more informed and more vigilant than in prior years.
He also drew a connection between credible elections and national development, suggesting that transparent processes foster public trust, which in turn strengthens governance outcomes. He observed that many Nigerians are dissatisfied with the country’s classification as underdeveloped and argued that building institutional credibility through credible elections is essential to reversing that narrative.
By delivering transparent and accountable polls, he maintained, INEC can enhance public trust not only in the commission itself but also in elected leaders. Such trust, he suggested, is foundational to political stability and economic progress.
In conclusion, while Amupitan stopped short of promising perfection, he offered assurances of institutional commitment and operational preparedness. The 2027 elections, he said, will be conducted with improved systems, refined logistics, and a strengthened legal framework under the Electoral Act 2026. For him, the goal is not unattainable flawlessness but measurable progress—an election that earns public confidence through transparency, capacity, and accountability.
