Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that every valid vote will count in the 2027 general elections, outlining a series of technological and electoral reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and public confidence.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has pledged that the 2027 general elections will be credible, transparent and technologically driven, assuring Nigerians that their votes will count.
Amupitan gave the assurance while highlighting reforms introduced under the Electoral Act 2026, saying the commission is deploying new technologies and operational improvements to address past challenges experienced during elections.
Technology to Drive Credible Polls
According to the INEC chairman, the commission plans to deploy enhanced digital tools to improve voter accreditation, result management and polling unit administration.
Among the measures announced are:
- Introduction of downloadable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for eligible voters.
- An application that enables voters to easily locate their polling units before election day.
- A comprehensive systems audit and mock presidential election to test the commission’s technology ahead of the 2027 polls.
‘Every Vote Will Count’
Amupitan said the reforms are designed to eliminate avoidable bottlenecks and restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He stressed that technological innovation would make it increasingly difficult to manipulate election results while improving the overall voting experience for Nigerians.
Lessons From Previous Elections
The INEC chairman acknowledged that previous elections exposed challenges such as BVAS glitches, voter education gaps and logistical delays.
He said the commission has studied those shortcomings and is implementing corrective measures before the 2027 general election, with off-cycle governorship elections serving as testing grounds for the new systems.
Building Public Confidence
Amupitan urged Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process, assuring them that INEC remains committed to conducting elections that reflect the genuine will of the people.
He also called on political parties, civil society organisations and the media to support voter education and help protect the integrity of the electoral process.