Nigeria's INEC pledges credible 2027 elections, seeks autonomy and fairness

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan said every valid vote cast in Nigeria's 2027 general elections will be counted, reaffirming the commission’s commitment to free, fair and credible polls. He announced the presidential and National Assembly ballot for 16 January 2027 and the governorship and state assembly vote for 6 February 2027, and urged staff to work with integrity, warning that both Nigerians and the international community are watching the process. Amupitan also called for constitutional reform to give INEC direct funding from the Federation Account, arguing that financial autonomy is essential for non‑politicised operations. Former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, chair of the National Peace Committee, visited INEC officials in Minna and urged the commission to remain impartial, treating all political parties equally despite political pressure. The commission reported that 6.9 million new voters were added in the latest phase of its Continuous Voter Registration exercise, though the final figure awaits biometric verification. Additionally, INEC confirmed that 74 deregistered parties will not take part in the upcoming Anambra governorship election, limiting participation to 18 registered parties. Together, these statements underscore the commission’s preparations, challenges, and the broader push for institutional independence ahead of the 2027 elections.