The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled plans to conduct a mock presidential election before the 2027 general elections as part of efforts to rigorously test its result-transmission infrastructure and prevent a recurrence of the technical challenges experienced during the 2023 polls.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed the initiative on Sunday while speaking at a Citizens’ Townhall on the Electoral Act 2026 in Abuja. He assured Nigerians that the electoral body is committed to delivering what he described as “the best election Nigeria has ever had.”
According to Amupitan, while the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was piloted during off-cycle governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti States prior to the 2023 general elections, the nationwide scale of the presidential poll revealed shortcomings in stress-testing the technology under full national deployment.
“Election anywhere in the world is now about technology, but before deploying any technology, it is important to test it thoroughly,” he said. “One of the things we are trying to do before the election is to have a mock presidential election, so that we are sure that this transmission across the states must not fail.”
He expressed confidence that the glitches recorded in 2023 had been addressed. “The glitch is eliminated; by God’s grace, it will not surface in Nigeria,” Amupitan added.
As part of preparations for the next electoral cycle, INEC recently adjusted the 2027 election timetable following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which introduced new statutory timelines. Under the revised schedule, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly elections are slated for February 6, 2027.
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Amupitan acknowledged that logistics and result management remain key operational challenges for the commission.
“Result management and logistics are two basic issues that, from our own end, we’re trying to see how best we’re able to manage them very well, so as to enhance the transparency and credibility of the system,” he stated, noting that network availability—rather than the concept of electronic transmission itself—posed the primary hurdle.
The amended Electoral Act 2026 provides for both electronic and manual collation of results, depending on infrastructure availability in various locations. Proponents of the hybrid model argue that it reflects practical realities, especially in areas with limited connectivity. However, critics contend that it could undermine transparency and create room for manipulation.
Opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have called for further amendments to the law, describing aspects of it as skewed ahead of the 2027 polls.
“By the grace of God, the 2027 election will be the best Nigeria has ever had. We want a process that guarantees legitimacy and confidence. When people trust INEC and their leaders, the country will move forward,” he said.