{
  "id": 6165751,
  "title": "INEC and the road to 2027",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/inec-and-the-road-to-2027",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T18:49:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/inec-and-the-road-to-2027/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Nigeria, conducting an election is a thankless job. The winner believes he won because the people loved him, while the loser believes he lost due to tampering with the process. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is often both praised and condemned in these situations. When Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN became the chairman of the Commission, he was aware of the challenges that came with the role. The controversies surrounding the 2023 general election, especially those related to technology, meant Amupitan faced scrutiny before even conducting a major election.\n\nAmupitan's response was to focus on conducting elections rather than engaging in endless debates about perceptions. Ekiti provided the first major test for this approach. Reports indicated that voting started early in approximately 92 percent of polling units observed, accreditation and voting procedures were generally followed, and BVAS worked well in most locations. More than 85 percent of polling-unit results had been uploaded to IReV by around 7:30 PM. Although there were some issues like vote buying, isolated BVAS problems, and accessibility difficulties, the overall picture was positive. Yiaga Africa's independent verification confirmed that the results announced by INEC matched the ballots counted at the polling units.\n\nOsun offered another opportunity to assess the Commission's performance. Despite being a state with close contests, litigation, and partisan tension, independent observers reported a generally positive election. Officials and materials arrived on time in most locations, voting commenced within the monitored period in 87 percent of polling units, and 98.43 percent of polling-unit results were uploaded to IReV by the next day. Although there were some issues like vote buying, BVAS difficulties, and delays, the overall assessment was favorable.\n\nAmupitan's leadership of INEC has been judged more by the Commission's performance than by his speeches. The early evidence suggests a Commission that is serious about its operational responsibilities. While two governorship elections do not settle every question about INEC, the improvement in performance should be acknowledged rather than dismissed due to scepticism. The sensible judgment lies somewhere between praise and cynicism.\n\nAnother test recently emerged closer to Amupitan's home in Kogi State. Reports indicated that some local government areas in Kogi West, including Okene in Kogi Central, were being considered for additional wards while Kogi East appeared not to benefit immediately. This issue is particularly sensitive due to Amupitan's personal connection to Kogi West. In Nigerian politics, geography is often more than just geography. However, the situation proved more complex than the initial arithmetic suggested. Electoral wards need to adapt as populations grow, settlements expand, and administrative realities change. While some demands for additional wards may be overdue, it is important to consider the broader implications of such changes.",
  "summary": "There are probably few jobs in Nigeria more thankless than conducting an election. The winner thinks he won because the people loved him. The loser is often convinced he lost because somebody somewhere tampered with the process. Between the two stands the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), praised by one side, condemned by the other […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}