The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to conduct a mock presidential election ahead of the 2027 general elections to test its electronic transmission system and restore public confidence in election technology.
The INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing in Abuja.
He said the commission would simulate a presidential election to examine the performance of its digital platforms before the actual polls.
INEC also released the official timetable for the 2027 elections. According to the commission, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 20, 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.
Amupitan explained that the mock exercise would focus on electronic transmission of results using the BVAS and the Result Viewing Portal. He noted that past technical failures had weakened public trust and must not be repeated.
“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 said.
He stressed that the commission would not abandon electronic transmission despite debates at the National Assembly.
“No matter how it ends, we already have our policies. I think that we should ensure that the results are transmitted,” he added.
With the publication of the Notice of Election, INEC urged political parties to begin preparations in line with the law. The commission said party primaries must follow due process and approved timelines.
The chairman warned parties against violence and urged them to conduct transparent internal processes.
“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,” he cautioned.
INEC also addressed concerns over the rising cost of elections. Amupitan explained that each polling unit requires four officials and that about 450,000 ad-hoc staff would need to be trained nationwide. He said inflation and foreign exchange pressures have increased operational expenses.
He dismissed reports that the 2027 elections would cost N1 trillion.
The chairman also denied claims that the commission planned to build hospitals with election funds, saying he was misquoted.
“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,” he said.
Amupitan further explained that the election dates were fixed in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, which requires INEC to issue a Notice of Election at least 360 days before polling day.
He also clarified that Anambra State, Bayelsa State, and Edo State would continue with off-cycle elections due to court rulings on their tenures.
