INEC Reassures Nigerians of Neutrality as 100-Day Countdown to 2027 Election Begins

The Independent National Electoral Commission has reassured Nigerians and the international community of its commitment to neutrality, operational readiness and the integrity of the ballot as the country begins the final 100-day countdown to the 2027 general election.

INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the assurance Tuesday at a world press conference and national stakeholders’ meeting marking 100 days to the first ballot at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Amupitan said the commission had moved from planning into the execution phase, with election materials in production, technology undergoing quality assurance, the voter register finalised for public display and staff undergoing training.

“As we begin this 100-day sprint to the 2027 General Election, we reassure the nation and the international community of our total commitment to neutrality, operational excellence, and the sacred integrity of the ballot box,” he said.

The INEC chairman described the milestone as a call to action and said the final phase of preparations would focus on delivering an election that meets standards of transparency, integrity and peace.

Amupitan said the commission had conducted several off-cycle elections since he assumed office in October 2025, including the governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections and several federal and state bye-elections.

He said reports from local and international observers showed that the elections met the commission’s benchmark for electoral integrity, while the polls also provided an opportunity to test improvements including early deployment of ad hoc staff and sensitive materials, improved logistics and intelligence-led security arrangements.

The commission issued its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 election on February 26, 2026, outlining 14 statutory milestones. Amupitan said nine of those milestones had been completed and that the timetable had been converted into an operational plan covering the commission’s headquarters departments, state offices, the FCT and all 774 local government areas.

On funding, Amupitan acknowledged the release of statutory allocations by the Federal Government, saying the funds had enabled INEC to meet international vendor obligations, finance critical election technology and upgrade infrastructure.

He, however, called for the prompt release of outstanding funds to ensure the smooth completion of the remaining electoral preparations.

Amupitan said the three phases of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise produced 10,772,421 new voters, taking the National Register of Voters to about 103 million.

The register will be displayed for public scrutiny from October 9 to 15, while distribution of Permanent Voter Cards from the first phase will begin at local government centres on October 9.

The commission said 18 of the 22 registered political parties submitted 36 presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

INEC published the final list of National Assembly candidates on September 12, while the final list of candidates for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections is scheduled for publication on October 10.

On election technology, Amupitan said production was advanced for 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices, with some already delivered.

He added that procurement for the printing of ballot papers and result sheets was also nearing completion as the commission enters the final 100 days before the 2027 general election.