By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Independent National Electoral Commission has assured Nigerians that the 2027 general election will be conducted transparently and that the final outcome will reflect the will of the electorate.
The Acting Chairman of INEC, Prof Rhoda Gumus, gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving the African Union Pre-Election Needs Assessment Mission at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Gumus said INEC was committed to delivering a credible, inclusive and peaceful election, while maintaining its independence and neutrality throughout the electoral process.
She said the Commission was already undertaking extensive operational, technological and logistical preparations ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to her, recent off-cycle elections in Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory, Ekiti and Osun states had provided useful lessons that would inform the Commission’s preparations for the general election.
Gumus also identified areas where INEC would welcome technical and institutional support from the African Union.
They include digital training for ad hoc election personnel, combating election-related disinformation and deepfakes, strengthening the Election Monitoring and Support Centre, and improving inclusivity and gender-mainstreaming in the electoral process.
She stressed that credible elections could not be achieved by INEC alone, describing electoral integrity as a collective responsibility involving political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies, the media, development partners and voters.
The Acting Chairman also reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to operating within the law, saying administrative decisions would be guided by legal requirements while technological deployments would be designed to promote transparency.
She added that the Commission remained committed to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian had the opportunity to participate in the election.
Gumus further said the 2027 election would be conducted under the leadership of Prof Joash Amupitan, SAN, with the Commission maintaining its professional and neutral approach.
The AU delegation, led by former Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, is in Nigeria to assess preparations for the 2027 polls and identify areas where further support may be required.
Mekonnen said the mission was intended as a supportive and consultative engagement rather than a formal assessment alone.
He said the delegation would engage INEC and other stakeholders on voter registration and register integrity, electoral technology, logistics, funding, inclusion, transparency, dispute resolution, security coordination and results management.
Mekonnen reaffirmed the African Union’s partnership with Nigeria in strengthening democratic governance and promoting credible elections across the continent.
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