INEC announces mock presidential election

By Goli Innocent

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally launched preparations for the 2027 general elections, unveiling a landmark mock presidential election to test and verify its electronic transmission systems. The announcement was made on Friday at a news conference in Abuja by INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN. 

Speaking on the integrity of the commission’s technology, Professor Amupitan said:

“I am committed to even having a mock presidential election. You see, the delicate thing about technology is if a technology is designed without being properly tested. We don’t have issues with transmission to IREV in respect of the elections. We are doing everything possible to make sure that we test whatever we have. I did not say that technology will not be used.”

He further reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to electronic result transmission despite ongoing legislative debates:

“No matter how it ends, we already have our policies. I think that we should ensure that the results are transmitted.”

The Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for February 20, 2027, while the Governorship and State Assembly elections will hold on March 6, 2027. According to Amupitan, these dates comply with constitutional requirements that mandate publication of the Notice of Election at least 360 days before voting begins.

INEC also called on political parties to conduct transparent primaries within statutory timelines, warning that non-compliance would attract enforcement actions. In his words:

“Political parties are strongly advised to strictly adhere to the timelines. The Commission will not hesitate to enforce compliance with the law. I call on political parties to conduct peaceful and credible primaries, to shun violence and inflammatory rhetoric, and to uphold internal democracy.”

Addressing concerns over election costs, Amupitan noted the financial impact of training nearly 450,000 ad-hoc staff and other logistical requirements. He dismissed speculation that INEC would divert funds to build hospitals, clarifying:

“I was misquoted when they said I said I was going to build a hospital. It was not in my budget. There was a question as to why we are buying drugs. They asked if we have hospitals. I said, ‘Look, we have clinics and that those drugs were meant for our existing clinics. And a senator said, ‘Why are you building hospitals?’ Nobody ever said we were going to build hospitals. We never said we want to build hospitals.”

The mock presidential election comes amid ongoing national debate over the role of technology in elections. Despite recent legislative scrutiny, Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to using technology to enhance transparency. Preparatory exercises, including nationwide voter revalidation and accreditation tests, are already underway to ensure a credible electoral process.

INEC has appealed to political parties, security agencies, media, and civil society organisations to collaborate and support efforts towards credible and transparent elections.