INEC adopts Osun election as model for 2027 polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission has adopted the recently concluded Osun State governorship election as a benchmark for preparations for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, said the commission would build on the improvements recorded during the August 15 governorship election, particularly in the opening of polling units, the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, electronic transmission of results and management of electoral challenges.

Amupitan spoke on Friday when the Chargé d’Affaires of Canada to Nigeria, David Sproule, led a delegation from the Canadian High Commission on a visit to INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Osun election provides lessons for 2027

The INEC chairman said the commission had been using recent off-cycle elections to test new procedures, identify challenges and improve its operations ahead of the 2027 general election.

He listed the Anambra governorship election, Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections and Ekiti governorship election among the polls that had provided useful lessons for the commission.

According to Amupitan, the Osun governorship election stood out because of improvements recorded across several stages of the electoral process.

He said INEC would study the successes and challenges from the election and incorporate relevant lessons into its preparations for the 2027 polls.

94.5 per cent polling units opened early

Amupitan disclosed that 3,556 of the 3,763 polling units in Osun State, representing 94.5 per cent, were opened for accreditation and voting by 8:30am during the election.

He also highlighted the performance of BVAS, electronic uploading of results through the INEC Result Viewing portal and the commission’s handling of emerging challenges during the poll.

The chairman said the experience demonstrated that improvements in election administration could be achieved when technology, logistics and personnel were effectively coordinated.

“We view the success in Osun not as a final destination, but as the gold standard that will guide our preparations for 2027,” Amupitan said.

INEC begins preparations for 2027

The commission has already commenced preparations for the 2027 general elections, according to the INEC chairman.

Amupitan noted that the official period for public campaigns and rallies began on August 19, signalling the commencement of another phase of political activities ahead of the elections.

He identified five priority areas for INEC as it prepares for the polls.

They include consolidating technological improvements, expanding electoral inclusion, strengthening institutional capacity, tackling misinformation and protecting the integrity of the electoral process.

Nationwide mock accreditation planned

Amupitan also announced plans for a nationwide mock accreditation exercise in November 2026.

He said the exercise would enable the commission to test BVAS and other electoral equipment under field conditions before the 2027 general election.

The exercise is expected to help INEC identify technical and logistical challenges early enough to address them before election day.

The chairman said the commission was focused on ensuring that the technology deployed for the 2027 elections performed effectively across the country.

1.4 million ad-hoc personnel expected

The commission expects to require approximately 1.4 million ad-hoc personnel to conduct the 2027 elections across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide.

Amupitan described the planned mobilisation as one of the largest deployments of personnel for a single national operation in Nigeria.

He said effective recruitment, training and deployment of the personnel would be crucial to the success of the elections.

INEC creates AI unit

The INEC chairman further disclosed that the commission had established an artificial intelligence unit to examine how the technology could be responsibly deployed in the electoral process.

According to him, the unit would explore possible applications of AI in areas such as voter registration, data management and results transmission.

He added that INEC would also develop measures to respond to emerging threats associated with technology, particularly deepfakes and disinformation.

The commission, he said, was determined to protect the credibility of the electoral process as political actors increasingly adopt digital platforms for campaigns and communication.

Canada pledges support

Amupitan disclosed that INEC would participate in a global conference on responsible artificial intelligence and elections scheduled to hold in Ottawa, Canada, from September 9 to 11.

He appealed to the Canadian High Commission to assist members of the Nigerian delegation with expedited entry visas for the conference.

Responding, Sproule reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic and electoral development ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said Canada would continue to provide assistance in areas including electoral participation, women’s inclusion, public awareness, technical support and election observation.

The engagement between INEC and the Canadian delegation is expected to strengthen cooperation as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, with the commission seeking to build on lessons from recent off-cycle polls.