The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is weighing plans to conduct a nationwide mock presidential election and undertake a comprehensive audit of its election technology as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The proposed reforms are aimed at strengthening the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process by addressing concerns that followed the 2023 general election, particularly those surrounding the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan (SAN), disclosed the commission’s plans while receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Amupitan said the electoral body is reviewing several measures designed to improve election management, enhance cyber security and restore public confidence ahead of the next general election.
One of the key proposals under consideration is a nationwide mock presidential election that would simulate real voting conditions across the country. According to the INEC chairman, the exercise would provide an opportunity to test the commission’s technology, logistics and operational systems before the 2027 polls.
He explained that the simulation would help identify potential technical and administrative shortcomings early enough for corrective measures to be implemented, reducing the likelihood of system failures during the actual election.
Beyond the proposed mock poll, INEC is also planning a comprehensive audit of its digital infrastructure. The review will focus on improving the reliability of the BVAS, strengthening the security of the IReV portal and reinforcing the commission’s overall cyber security framework.
Amupitan noted that the planned reforms are part of INEC’s commitment to learning from previous elections and ensuring that future polls meet the highest standards of transparency, efficiency and credibility.
He acknowledged that concerns raised by political parties, civil society organisations and election observers following the 2023 general election have made it necessary for the commission to further strengthen its technological systems.
According to him, restoring public trust remains one of INEC’s top priorities, stressing that every aspect of the commission’s election technology will undergo rigorous testing before the 2027 general election.
During the visit, British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s support for Nigeria’s democratic institutions. He pledged continued collaboration with INEC in areas such as electoral reforms, technology, institutional capacity building and efforts aimed at promoting credible elections.
Political observers say that if approved, the nationwide mock presidential election would be one of the most extensive pre-election simulations ever undertaken by the electoral commission.
The exercise is expected to enable INEC to evaluate the effectiveness of its systems under real-life conditions while demonstrating its readiness to deliver transparent, credible and technology-driven elections in 2027.
Although the commission has yet to announce a timetable for the proposed mock election and technology audit, the initiative signals INEC’s determination to address past shortcomings and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the next general election.
