INEC adopts Osun election as benchmark for 2027 – Amupitan

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has adopted the recent Osun State governorship election as a benchmark for preparations for the 2027 general election. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, highlighted the improved performance in areas such as polling-unit opening, Ballot Verification and Authentication System (BVAS) operation, electronic result transmission, and crisis management during the August 15 election.

INEC has begun preparations for the 2027 election, with campaigns starting on August 19. Amupitan outlined five strategic focus areas for INEC leading up to the 2027 elections: enhancing technological advancements, promoting electoral inclusivity, boosting institutional capacity, countering misinformation, and safeguarding electoral integrity.

In addition, INEC is conducting a nationwide mock accreditation exercise in November 2026 to test Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and other electoral equipment. The commission is also scaling up its administrative capacity by mobilizing approximately 1.4 million ad-hoc personnel across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide.

INEC is preparing for the growing role of artificial intelligence in elections by establishing a dedicated AI unit to explore the responsible application of AI in areas like data management, voter registration, and results transmission. Amupitan also invited the Canadian High Commission's assistance in facilitating expedited entry visas for INEC delegation members attending the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections, held in Ottawa from September 9 to 11.

Canada has committed to supporting Nigeria's democratic and electoral processes, including INEC's preparations for the 2027 general election.