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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that every vote will count in the 2027 general elections, saying the commission is committed to consolidating the nation’s democratic governance.
INEC Deputy Director of Voter Education and Planning, Mrs. Magdalene Aku, gave the assurance in Abuja yesterday during a democracy roundtable organised by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Aku, who spoke on the theme: “Making Nigeria’s Vote Count in 2027: The Role of INEC,” said that making Nigerians’ votes count was not just a slogan, but a commitment to ensure the electorate’s choices reflected in election outcomes.
She described voters as the “ultimate kingmakers” in a constitutional democracy, adding that the commission’s primary mandate centred on protecting the will of the electorate rather than monitoring political outcomes.
“For INEC, making your vote count is not just a slogan; it is the bedrock of our democracy and we always try to ensure that we put in the right processes, the right tools to ensure that every individual’s vote counts.
“Our focus is on the Nigerian voters. We do not care about the person who wins or loses the election; it is on the Nigerian voter, and that’s why we’re always place premium on the voter to recognise the fact that you are the kingmaker.” Aku highlighted the commission’s progressive adoption of technology to eliminate electoral frauds, citing the transition from Smart Card Readers to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the real-time upload of results via the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal among efforts of the commission.
According to her, transparency was guaranteed right from the grassroots level, as polling unit results recorded on Form EC8A popularly referred to as the people’s result being posted on walls at polling stations for public view before electronic transmission.
“We’ll continue to improve on our processes and continue to ensure that everybody’s vote counts.
“In ensuring that everyone’s vote counts, that is why we improve on technology; transmission of results to the IReV in real time, so people can see the results as they come.
“First of all, from the polling units, you will see that as soon as results are entered into the Form EC8A, it is pasted on the wall at the polling unit, it is called the people’s result. So everyone sees the result from the polling unit even before it gets to the IReV.
“In improving this process of collation of results, that’s why we also have, as the collation officer is entering the manual result, there is someone present who is also entering the result electronically. So, INEC keeps improving its processes to ensure that everyone’s vote counts,” Aku said.
On inclusivity, the assistant y director affirmed that INEC’s targeted policies ensure hard-to-reach terrains and vulnerable groups including persons with disabilities, noting that the visually impaired and individuals with albinism were fully integrated into the electoral process.
“You’ll agree with me that there are some certain terrains that are difficult to go to, but INEC makes effort to reach those places because it wants to carry everyone along.
“We have targeted voter education, we have our inclusivity policy and we also have our gender policy.
“Inclusivity is to carry everyone along: persons with disability, persons that are visually impaired, albinism and all of that, because no one will be left behind. INEC wants to carry everybody along.”
Aku urged citizens to recognise both their constitutional rights and civic responsibilities, stressing that voter and civic education were key to a thriving democracy.
Aku, however, cautioned citizens against selling their ballots, describing the voter’s card as a fundamental tool for shaping the country’s future.
“If your vote doesn’t matter, why does somebody want to buy it? And why do you want to sell your vote?
“You have to think about your future as well and that’s why we put our voter education messages so people will understand the power that they wield with the voter’s card. Your vote is your voice. Do not sit on the fence.”
Aku also called for collective action among all stakeholders, noting that while INEC serves as the electoral umpire, achieving seamless elections requires collective responsibilities from the public, media and security agencies.
“INEC has placed all the systems in place. All of us, it’s an all-hands-on-deck thing. All of us must work together to ensure that the systems put in place work effectively.
“Transparency, technology and joint responsibility from each and every one of us is what INEC seeks.
“As the umpire, INEC will regulate the process to ensure the secrecy of the vote and the credibility of the voter’s choice, but all hands must be on deck collectively to achieve free, fair and credible elections,” she added.
Meanwhile, NUJ, FCT Council and NAN have called for stronger partnership between INEC and the media ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Leaders of both NAN and NUJ said the media remain a critical partner in voter education, election monitoring and combating misinformation, stressing the imperative for the working relationship with the electoral umpire for effective, timely and accurate information management.
Managing Director of NAN, Malam Ali M Ali represented by the Editor-in-Chief, Mufutua Ojo, described the roundtable as timely in view of the preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Ali reaffirmed NAN’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote democratic governance and electoral credibility, describing all stakeholders as partners in national development.
Chairman, NUJ, FCT Council, Ms Grace Ike said the media and other democratic institutions occupy a central place in sustaining a healthy democracy.
She said while INEC has the constitutional responsibility of conducting credible elections, the task of ensuring electoral integrity rests on all stakeholders.
“The credibility of elections is not the responsibility of INEC alone. The media, civil society groups, security agencies and the electorate must all play roles to ensure that every citizen’s vote counts,” she said.
Ike recalled interactions she had with some young Nigerians after the last general elections, noting that many of them had lost confidence in the electoral process because they believed their votes would not count.
She, however, expressed optimism that ongoing voter education initiatives by INEC, the media and civil society organisations were gradually restoring public confidence ahead of the 2027 polls.
She outlined the expectations of the NUJ, FCT Council from INEC on transparent electoral processes, timely publication of information, clear electoral timelines and effective communication of regulations affecting voters and election stakeholders.
She also advocated robust voter education campaigns targeting young people, rural communities and persons with disabilities to ensure inclusive participation in the electoral process.
According to her, INEC should provide full disclosure on the testing of election technologies, including result transmission systems and establish accessible complaints and dispute resolution mechanisms to strengthen public trust.
Ike also urged media practitioners to uphold professionalism by verifying information before publication, avoiding the spread of rumours, providing context in election reporting and holding institutions accountable through ethical journalism.
She also encouraged journalists to simplify technical electoral information and translate it into indigenous languages to improve public understanding, particularly at the grassroots.
The NUJ FCT chairman announced plans to establish a dedicated Election Situation Room during the 2027 general elections to monitor developments, verify reports, support field reporters and coordinate rapid responses to threats against voters and journalists.
She appealed to INEC to support the initiative by providing timely official information, appointing liaison officers for rapid verification, involving the NUJ in testing result transmission procedures and collaborating on voter education programmes.
“I believe such collaboration will strengthen public trust and improve our collective ability to protect the integrity of our votes.”
Ike also called on all stakeholders to ensure the safety of journalists covering elections, respect media independence and reject intimidation, misinformation and violence capable of undermining the electoral process.
She urged eligible voters to register early, participate actively in elections and remain at polling units after casting their ballots in accordance with electoral guidelines.
“Your vote is your voice. This time around, your vote will count and must count,” she said.
Earlier, Chairman of the NAN Chapel of the NUJ, Collins Yakubu-Hammer, said credible elections remained the foundation of democracy and stressed that INEC must continue to conduct free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections.
Yakubu-Hammer said the commission should maintain an accurate voters’ register, ensure timely distribution of election materials, adequately trained electoral officials and effectively deploy technology to improve transparency, while remaining impartial in enforcing electoral laws.
He added that political parties must embrace issue-based campaigns, security agencies must guarantee a peaceful voting environment and citizens must reject vote-buying and electoral violence.
“If INEC, political stakeholders and Nigerians play their parts with integrity and commitment, the 2027 elections can strengthen public trust in our democracy and truly reflect the will of the people,” he said.
