The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has revealed several critical challenges that could shape the outcome and credibility of the 2027 general elections. Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, he pointed to weak communication infrastructure, widespread misinformation, and growing voter apathy as major concerns the commission must address to deliver credible polls.

Amupitan explained that INEC’s key technologies, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), rely on strong network connectivity. Poor telecommunications access in parts of the country continues to limit real-time transmission of results, prompting the commission to intensify collaboration with telecom regulators and service providers ahead of the elections.

He also highlighted the issue of low voter turnout, referencing the 27 percent turnout recorded in 2023 as a worrying sign. Despite over 2.6 million new registrations in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise, he warned that misinformation, vote-buying, and electoral violence remain significant threats. Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to improving systems, building public trust, and working closely with stakeholders to safeguard the 2027 electoral process.