The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the commission has the capacity to electronically transmit election results in the 2027 general elections, while cautioning that no electoral process can be entirely flawless.
Amupitan spoke on Sunday during the Citizens’ Town Hall programme themed ‘Electoral Act 2026: What it Means for Your Votes and the 2027 Elections’, where he urged Nigerians to manage expectations regarding the conduct of the polls.
He said although INEC would work towards delivering credible elections, achieving a “100 per cent perfect election” may not be realistic.
According to him, the commission is fully prepared to transmit election results electronically, noting that the key challenge lies in ensuring real-time transmission in difficult terrains.
Amupitan stressed that elections remain central to democratic governance, highlighting the importance of voter education, transparency and collaboration between electoral bodies and civil society groups.
He also revealed that INEC played an active role in shaping the Electoral Act 2026 through a joint process involving the National Assembly and civil society organisations.
On the issue of electronic transmission — which generated widespread debate after the 2023 general elections — the INEC chairman disclosed that the commission advocated for mandatory transmission during legislative consultations.
He explained that experiences from the recent FCT Area Council elections demonstrated the logistical realities that can affect real-time transmission, citing delays in accessing results from remote locations due to poor terrain and communication challenges.
Despite such setbacks, he maintained that the commission’s major challenge was not the absence of network coverage but the adequacy of infrastructure in certain hard-to-reach areas.
Amupitan further noted that election credibility is closely tied to logistics, warning that operational lapses could undermine public trust.
While acknowledging minor logistical and human errors during recent elections, he said the commission was taking steps to address them.
He, however, expressed optimism that the 2027 general elections would reflect significant improvements, driven by increased voter awareness and a growing demand for accountability.
According to him, strengthening transparency in the electoral process would ultimately build public confidence and contribute to national development.
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