2027: Electoral Body Vows to Ensure Fair Elections, Guarantees All Ballots Will Be Valued

The Independent National Electoral Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to making every vote count in the 2027 general elections by continuously improving its electoral processes and leveraging technology to boost transparency and credibility.

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Magdalyn Aku, Assistant Director of Voter Education and Planning at INEC, emphasized this stance on Wednesday at the 2026 News Agency of Nigeria and Nigeria Union of Journalists Democracy Roundtable in Abuja, themed “Making Nigerians’ Vote Count in 2027: The Role of INEC.”

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Aku underscored that ensuring every vote counts is fundamental to the commission’s mandate, rather than merely a campaign slogan, stating, “For INEC, making your vote count is not just a slogan; it is the bedrock of our democracy, and we always try to ensure that we put in the right processes, the right tools to ensure that every individual’s vote counts.”

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The commission remains neutral in the electoral process, Aku stressed, with its focus on protecting the rights of Nigerian voters rather than determining election winners, as she noted, “Our focus is on the Nigerian voter.

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Aku highlighted INEC’s consistent improvement of its election management processes, citing the transition from Smart Card Readers to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the deployment of the INEC Result Viewing Portal for real-time results transmission, saying, “INEC continues to up their game, improve its processes.”

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Election results are first displayed at polling units before being uploaded electronically to IReV to enhance transparency, Aku explained, adding that the commission is committed to inclusivity through policies targeting persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

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Aku urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and recognize the power of the ballot, asking, “If your vote doesn’t matter, why does somebody want to buy it? And why do you want to sell your vote?”

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She emphasized that every individual’s vote is crucial, stating, “Your vote is your voice. Do not sit on the fence. INEC has put all the systems in place. All of us—it’s an all-hands-on-deck thing.”

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Nigerians must work together to ensure the effectiveness of the systems put in place, Aku added, as she emphasized the importance of collective effort in the electoral process.

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Comrade Grace Ike, NUJ FCT Chairman, noted that credible elections require the collective responsibility of all stakeholders, saying, “Credibility is not the burden of INEC alone.”

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Ike challenged journalists to uphold professionalism during election coverage, urging them to report any irregularities they witness, as she said, “If journalists see something, they should write something.”

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Legal practitioner Frank Tietie advised INEC to preserve its independence, stating, “INEC must maintain its independence. Outcomes of elections should be determined at the polling units and not in courtrooms.”

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Austin Aigbe, Regional Advocacy Officer of the Civil Society Organisation, West Africa Democracy Network, endorsed the proposed Election Situation Room and called for greater emphasis on the use of the BVAS, saying, “There must be emphasis on the use of BVAS.”

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Comrade Collins Yakubu-Hammer, Chairman of the NAN NUJ Chapel, emphasized that INEC must continue to conduct free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections, while also urging political parties, security agencies, and citizens to play their roles in safeguarding the electoral process.

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The NUJ FCT Council announced plans to establish a dedicated Election Situation Room for the 2027 general elections to monitor electoral developments, verify reports, support journalists in the field, and coordinate rapid responses to threats against voters and media personnel.