The head of Nigeria’s electoral body says the 2027 general election will not be flawless, even though results can be sent electronically.
Independent National Electoral Commission chairman Joash Amupitan told a live town hall on Sunday that the commission has the capacity to transmit results but cannot promise a “100 per cent perfect election”.
Speaking during the televised programme hosted by Seun Okinbaloye and organised with Yiaga Africa, he urged voters to manage expectations while assuring them that the commission would deliver the best process possible.
He said electronic transmission is achievable, but real-time reporting remains difficult in remote areas. He cited a recent council poll in the Federal Capital Territory, where results from a ward in Kuje arrived a day late due to distance, terrain and weak communication signals.
According to him, officials lost phone contact with staff in the area until a team was sent physically to confirm their safety and retrieve results. He said this showed that logistics, not technology alone, often determine how smooth elections run.
Amupitan stressed that elections remain central to democracy and quoted Abraham Lincoln to underline the power of voting. He warned that poor voter awareness can threaten national stability and called for stronger civic education.
He also said the commission helped shape provisions in the Electoral Act 2026, including pushing for mandatory electronic transmission during drafting discussions. Still, he noted that defining “real time” transmission remains a technical and operational challenge.
The chairman admitted recent polls exposed human and logistical errors but said reforms were under way. He added that rising voter awareness and public demand for accountability should help improve future elections.
He expressed confidence that the 2027 vote would be the best Nigeria has held, despite limits that make absolute perfection unlikely.
Leave a Reply