The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benue State has declared its readiness for the 2027 general elections, announcing that 592 candidates will contest 52 elective positions across the State, while 3,057,225 registered voters will vote in 5,102 polling uORSA across the State.
Aminu Idris, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), stated this on Wednesday at the INEC/Stakeholders meeting held at the INEC Benue State Collation Centre in Makurdi, where he updated leaders of political parties, civil society organisations and the media on preparations for the polls.
Idris said the 2027 General Election would begin with the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday, 16th January 2027, and conclude with the Governorship and State Assembly elections on Saturday, 6th February 2027, urging all stakeholders to play vital roles in ensuring a peaceful, free, fair, credible and inclusive election.How to make a woman wet instantly – Watch full video
Giving a breakdown of the candidates, the REC said 18 political parties are contesting the Presidential seat, 12 are contesting the Governorship seat, while 40 candidates are contesting the three Senatorial Districts, 12 in Benue North-East (Zone A), 13 in Benue North-West (Zone B) and 15 in Benue South (Zone C).
He added that 118 candidates are contesting the 11 House of Representatives seats, with Otukpo/Ohimini having the highest number of 15, while 422 candidates are contesting the 37 State House of Assembly seats. Nationally, he said INEC received nominations from 18 of the 22 registered parties for President, while 21 parties presented candidates for legislative and governorship elections.
Idris said that in compliance with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, the Commission published the final list of nominated candidates on 12th September 2026 for Presidential and National Assembly, and 10th October 2026 for Governorship and State Governorship.
He reminded parties to begin training for the upload and deployment of polling agents for polling units and collation centres.
On the restored constituencies, the REC explained that Benue’s State Assembly constituencies increased from 32 to 37 following court judgments which restored 27 constituencies across Benue, Delta, Jigawa and Kogi.
In Benue, five were restored: Ukum II (Afia) in Ukum, Konshisha (Shange-Tiev) in Konshisha, Gboko III (Central) in Gboko, Makurdi III (South-East) in Makurdi, and Nyamatsor in Buruku.
On logistics and technology, Idris said the Commission had commenced delivery of non-sensitive materials to state and area council offices, and has concluded BVAS inventory. Out of 5,381 BVAS devices physically verified, 5,277 (98%) were found functional and ready for deployment, while headquarters has been notified of the faulty ones for replacement.
He said the RA-level display of the Voter Register for claims and objections held between 9th and 15th October 2026 across all 23 LGAs, during which the Commission received 1,052 claims and objections, comprising 947 claims and 105 objections. Within the same period, 58,581 PVCs were collected, made up of 9,139 old PVCs, 28,854 new CVR PVCs, 12,707 transferred PVCs and 7,881 replacement PVCs.
Idris added that the State received 101,695 Phase One CVR and transfer PVCs from headquarters, comprising 54,724 new PVCs and 46,971 transfers, while all existing PVCs remain available for collection at the 23 area council offices. An announcement will be made later on PVCs from CVR Phase Two and Phase Three.
He also reminded civil society organisations that the portal for submission of applications to observe the 2027 election closed on 26th October 2026, urging intending observer groups to liaise with their headquarters to ensure their field observers are properly uploaded, accredited and issued Observer ID cards and tags.