INEC Assures Electronic Results Transmission in 2027, Says Perfect Poll is Unrealistic
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the commission has the capacity to electronically transmit election results in 2027, while cautioning that a flawless election cannot be guaranteed.
Amupitan gave the assurance on Sunday during the Citizens’ Town Hall programme aired on Channels Television, themed ‘Electoral Act 2026: What it means for your votes and the 2027 elections’. He said although INEC would strive to deliver its best performance, expectations of a “100 per cent perfect election” were unrealistic.
According to him, the commission is fully equipped to transmit results electronically, noting that the main concern has been the interpretation of what constitutes real-time transmission. He explained that while transmission itself is achievable, challenges sometimes arise due to network adequacy and difficult terrain in remote locations.
The INEC chairman cited the recent Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections as an example, recalling that results from one ward in Kuje Area Council were delayed because officials could not be reached due to poor network coverage and challenging road conditions. He said the results were eventually collated and announced after officials safely returned with the materials.
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Amupitan emphasised that elections remain central to democratic governance, stressing the importance of voter education and transparency. He said the commission, alongside civil society organisations, must continue to work towards credible and transparent polls.
He also disclosed that INEC contributed significantly to the drafting of the Electoral Act 2026 through a joint committee involving the National Assembly and civil society groups. The commission, he said, pushed for mandatory electronic transmission of results during legislative deliberations.
While acknowledging that recent elections experienced some logistical and human errors, he said corrective measures were being implemented. He maintained that logistics play a critical role in the credibility of elections, warning that operational shortcomings could weaken public trust.
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Looking ahead, Amupitan expressed confidence that the 2027 general elections would mark an improvement, citing growing voter awareness and increased public demand for accountability. He said greater transparency and trust in the electoral process would ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s democratic development.
