The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled November 28, 2026, for a nationwide mock accreditation and voting exercise to test its upgraded electoral technology and electronic results transmission system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The exercise will simulate the presidential election and assess the commission’s readiness to deploy its improved Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), electronic result transmission infrastructure and other critical electoral technologies.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, announced the development on Thursday in London while speaking at Chatham House during a high-level dialogue organised in partnership with the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI).
The event was held under the theme, “Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Democratic Trajectory and Regional Stability Beyond the Ballot.”
According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, and released by INEC’s Gombe office on Friday, the November 28 exercise is designed to test the commission’s accreditation and electronic results transmission processes ahead of the nationwide polls.
Amupitan said the planned reforms were informed by lessons from the 2023 general elections, which significantly damaged public confidence in the electoral commission.
He acknowledged that the credibility challenges experienced during the 2023 elections created a substantial trust deficit that INEC was still working to overcome.
“First and foremost, let me speak about what happened in 2023, which resulted in a significant trust deficit for INEC—damage so large that the Commission has not yet fully recovered from it,” he said.
The INEC chairman, who assumed office in October 2025, explained that the commission had used subsequent off-cycle elections to identify operational weaknesses and improve its accreditation, voting and results-management procedures.
He cited the Anambra and Osun governorship elections, Federal Capital Territory Area Council polls, Ekiti governorship election and 16 legislative by-elections as opportunities through which INEC had strengthened its electoral administration.
According to him, the successful declaration of results the day after voting in the recent Anambra and Osun governorship elections demonstrated improvements in the commission’s operational coordination.
He contrasted this with the 2021 Anambra governorship election, which took approximately five days to conclude.
INEC Introduces New Safeguards for IReV Results Transmission
Amupitan disclosed that INEC had introduced additional technical safeguards to prevent inaccurate election results, including figures reflecting over-voting, from being uploaded to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
He explained that the commission’s assessment of the 2023 general elections identified significant weaknesses in the results-management process, particularly at collation centres.
According to him, the new safeguards would ensure that results submitted from polling units undergo the necessary validation checks before they can be uploaded to IReV.
“We found that the core problem of election result management and declaration in Nigeria is not even at the polling unit—it is at the collation centres,” he said.
“In 2023, there were instances of inaccurate results or results with over-voting being uploaded onto IReV. We have now devised a technical safeguard: if a result is not accurate at the polling unit, it will not go to IReV at all.”
The commission said the measures were designed to minimise discrepancies, strengthen transparency and improve accountability throughout the election results transmission and collation process.
INEC Upgrades BVAS Devices Ahead of 2027 Elections
The INEC chairman also addressed concerns about the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the 2023 general elections.
He said the commission had taken steps to improve the reliability and efficiency of the devices, particularly by addressing equipment-related challenges associated with extreme temperatures and inadequate storage conditions.
To tackle the problem, INEC is constructing climate-controlled storage facilities across the states of the federation to protect its electoral equipment.
Amupitan further disclosed that the commission had procured additional BVAS devices and reduced the maximum number of registered voters assigned to each machine from 1,250 to 850.
Under the revised arrangement, polling units with more than 850 registered voters will receive multiple BVAS devices to reduce pressure on the equipment and facilitate faster voter accreditation.
The nationwide mock accreditation and voting exercise on November 28 will provide an opportunity to test the upgraded devices and other technological improvements under simulated election conditions.
“On the 28th of this month, we will conduct a mock accreditation and voting exercise across all states of the federation to simulate the presidential election and verify that we have gotten both accreditation and electronic result transmission right,” Amupitan said.
INEC Awaits Outstanding 2027 Election Funds
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, Amupitan disclosed that INEC had received a substantial portion of its approved election budget but was still awaiting the release of the outstanding balance.
He explained that the remaining funds would support critical preparations, including the recruitment and welfare of ad hoc election personnel.
However, the chairman said the commission had received assurances that the outstanding funds would be released before the end of November 2026.
He identified insecurity, logistics and election results management as three major operational priorities that required sustained attention ahead of the 2027 elections.
Amupitan Denies Allegations of Political Bias
The INEC chairman also reaffirmed his commitment to political neutrality, dismissing allegations circulating on social media linking his telephone number to a controversial account on X, formerly Twitter.
He denied operating an X account and disclosed that an independent forensic examination had been obtained. The matter, he added, had been referred to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Inspector-General of Police for investigation.
Amupitan also rejected suggestions that his previous professional engagements as a lawyer in political disputes could undermine his impartiality as INEC chairman.
He maintained that such engagements were undertaken strictly in his professional capacity as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria before his appointment.
“My loyalty is solely to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act,” he declared.
He further emphasised that all constitutional institutions, including the Presidency, National Assembly and state governments, must operate within the framework of the Constitution and the rule of law.
INEC Addresses Concerns Over National Voters’ Register
Amupitan also responded to allegations of irregularities in the national voters’ register, including claims that registered voters increased by 85 per cent in a ward in Ebonyi State.
He said the commission had investigated and addressed the complaint in accordance with established statutory procedures.
According to him, the Electoral Act provides legal mechanisms for public claims, objections and requests for certified true copies of the voters’ register.
He urged political stakeholders and members of the public to use the established legal channels to raise concerns and seek clarification about the register.
INEC Warns Nigerian Youths Against Election Misinformation
The INEC chairman called on Nigerian youths to remain actively involved in the democratic process, warning that misinformation and digital disinformation posed serious threats to electoral credibility and democratic stability.
He urged citizens to verify information before sharing it, particularly on social media, to prevent the spread of false narratives capable of undermining public confidence in democratic institutions.
“This country belongs to young Nigerians, and they must not relent in working for the Nigeria they desire,” he said.
“Misinformation remains one of the greatest threats to our democracy. Citizens must verify information before acting or sharing, and give our democracy the chance to succeed.”
INEC Announces Dates for 2027 General Elections
The 2027 general elections are scheduled to begin with the presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16, 2027.
The governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
With the November 28 mock election approaching, INEC is expected to use the exercise to assess the effectiveness of its upgraded electoral technology, identify remaining operational challenges and strengthen preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The outcome will be particularly important in determining whether the commission’s new safeguards can address concerns surrounding voter accreditation, electronic results transmission and the credibility of election results.