The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is weighing plans to carry out a comprehensive audit of its election technology infrastructure and stage a mock presidential election before the 2027 general election as part of efforts to strengthen the credibility of the electoral process.
The proposed measures are aimed at evaluating the reliability of the commission’s technological systems and ensuring they function effectively before Nigerians head to the polls in 2027.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed the proposals on Thursday while receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, who paid him a courtesy visit at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Details of the meeting were contained in a statement shared on the commission’s official X handle.
According to the statement, the proposed audit and mock presidential election are currently being considered by the commission in response to concerns that emerged after the 2023 general election, particularly regarding the performance and reliability of election technology.
“The INEC Chairman said the proposals, which were under consideration by the commission that same day, were informed by concerns arising from the 2023 general election, particularly regarding the reliability of election technology.
“According to him, the commission was looking at the possibility of auditing all its systems ahead of the 2027 election, as well as conducting a mock presidential election, to test the readiness of its processes and technology before the actual polls,” the statement read.
Amupitan explained that although the proposed exercises were not originally included in the commission’s approved budget, INEC would examine possible funding options if it became necessary to implement them.
He noted that the initiatives could play a significant role in boosting confidence in the electoral process and improving the overall credibility of the 2027 general election.
The chairman said the planned audit aligns with INEC’s ongoing efforts to improve the reliability of its technological platforms, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which were both introduced to enhance transparency during elections.
He further disclosed that the commission is also reviewing its cyber-security framework to strengthen its digital infrastructure against potential threats.
According to him, the review covers critical areas such as system redundancy, penetration testing, disaster recovery mechanisms and other security safeguards designed to protect the integrity of election technology.
The commission believes these improvements will help reduce operational risks and reinforce public trust in the electoral process.
Speaking during the visit, British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery said the United Kingdom had continued to monitor developments surrounding Nigeria’s electoral preparations.
He noted that the UK had closely observed INEC’s conduct of recent off-cycle elections, including those held in Ekiti State, the Federal Capital Territory and Anambra State.
Montgomery also acknowledged the commission’s preparations for the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State.
The British envoy, who disclosed that he would conclude his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria in about six weeks, reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
He expressed confidence that his successor would continue the longstanding partnership between the UK government and INEC, particularly as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.
The visit formed part of ongoing engagements between INEC and international partners aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system through technical cooperation, institutional support and the exchange of best practices.
