{
  "id": 13866482,
  "title": "Nigeria: 2027 - Atiku Demands Names of Firms Printing INEC's Ballot Papers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/nigeria-2027-atiku-demands-names-of-firms-printing-inecs-ballot-papers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T03:56:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AllAfrica",
    "slug": "allafrica",
    "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202610120091.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disclose the names of firms printing sensitive materials for the 2027 elections. Atiku expressed concern that opaque contracts and key departmental redeployments could undermine trust in the polls. He specifically questioned whether Hitech, a company associated with it, had secured a contract to print election materials. Reports indicate that some election materials might be allocated to an undisclosed company based in France, while Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Plc is printing materials for only 15 to 17 states, leaving the rest to private firms. Atiku urged INEC to publish the criteria applied for appointments and redeployments, and confirmed or denied whether any company associated with Hitech has been selected. He emphasized the importance of Nigerians knowing who is producing their ballots and how the contracts were awarded, warning that a lack of transparency could lead to resistance against any attempt to subvert their votes.",
  "summary": "[Vanguard] ABUJA - Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disclose who is printing sensitive materials for the 2027 elections, warning that opaque contracts and key departmental redeployments could undermine confidence in the polls.",
  "key_points": [
    "Atiku Abubakar demands INEC reveal firms printing 2027 election ballot papers.",
    "Concern over opaque contracts and departmental changes undermining election trust.",
    "Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Plc prints materials for 15-17 states."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Demanding transparency regarding ballot printing contracts highlights how perceived opacity in procurement processes threatens to erode public confidence in the integrity of the upcoming 2027 general elections.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}