The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the official timetable for the 2027 General Elections and announced plans to conduct a mock presidential election to test the integrity of its electronic transmission infrastructure.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed that:
Presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on February 20, 2027. Governorship and State Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.Mock Presidential Election to Test Technology
Addressing concerns surrounding the Result Viewing Portal (IReV) and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the Chairman said the Commission is determined to prevent the technical issues that affected public confidence in previous election cycles.
According to him, the proposed mock presidential election will serve as a comprehensive stress test of the electronic transmission framework before the 2027 polls.
“The delicate thing about technology is that it must be properly tested. We are doing everything possible to ensure that whatever we deploy is fully verified. We remain committed to electronic transmission of results,” he said.
Amupitan clarified that INEC has no plans to abandon electronic transmission, regardless of ongoing legislative debates.
Warning to Political Parties
With the formal issuance of the Notice of Election, INEC declared that the window for party primaries has officially opened.
The Chairman urged political parties to adhere strictly to statutory timelines and uphold internal democracy.
“Political parties must conduct peaceful and credible primaries. The Commission will enforce compliance with the law,” he warned.
Election Cost and Budget Clarifications
Responding to questions on the rising cost of elections, the INEC Chairman cited:
Inflation and foreign exchange fluctuations
Training of nearly 450,000 ad-hoc staff
Deployment of four officials per polling unit nationwide
He dismissed claims that the Commission intends to spend ₦1 trillion on the 2027 elections.
Amupitan also refuted reports alleging that INEC planned to divert funds to construct hospitals, clarifying that budgetary provisions relate only to maintaining existing commission clinics.
Constitutional Compliance
INEC explained that the dates align with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022, which require the Notice of Election to be published at least 360 days before polling day.
The Commission further noted that states such as:
. Anambra State
. Bayelsa State
. Edo State
remain on off-cycle governorship schedules due to court-altered tenures, in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Call for Stakeholder Responsibility
As preparations intensify, INEC called on security agencies, the media, civil society, and political actors to treat the 2027 elections as a shared national responsibility.
With the countdown now underway, the Commission says its priority is restoring and strengthening public trust through transparency, legal compliance, and tested electoral technology.
The big question Nigerians are asking are, will their votes count and will INEC do the needful by playing their role as umpire instead of compromising because of the influence that influenced their appointments. At Governance Today Nigeria news, the authentic voice of good governance and leadership accountability, we are watching with keen attention and interest to keep informed.
