The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is considering conducting a mock presidential election and a comprehensive audit of its technology systems ahead of the 2027 general election to prevent a repeat of the technical problems that affected the 2023 presidential poll.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the plan on Thursday in Abuja while receiving the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, and his delegation during a meeting on election and cybersecurity.
Amupitan said lessons from extensive post-election reviews have shaped the commission's preparations.
"Those reviews have informed virtually every aspect of our current preparations," he said.
The INEC chairman also revealed that the commission intends to carry out a full audit of its electoral systems and stage a nationwide mock presidential election to test the integrity of its technology before Nigerians vote in 2027.
"It was not originally in our budget, but if we need to get assistance in that direction, that can help us ahead of the election," Amupitan said.
He said INEC has strengthened its cybersecurity architecture, data systems, penetration testing protocols, disaster recovery mechanisms and communication systems.
According to him, the commission is also working closely with security agencies at the national, state and local government levels to protect election personnel, infrastructure and voters.
Amupitan further raised concerns over the growing threat of disinformation and the criminal use of artificial intelligence during elections, saying the commission is taking steps to address emerging digital risks.
The planned mock election is expected to test the electronic transmission of results and other critical election technologies before the 2027 general election, as INEC seeks to restore public confidence in the electoral process following the controversies that trailed the 2023 presidential election.
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