The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed the possibility of shifting the dates for the 2027 general elections, assuring Nigerians that the exercise will take place as scheduled.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance during a meeting with electoral officials from the six South-South states in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The meeting was organised to review the commission’s preparations ahead of the elections.
Amupitan maintained that the commission would stick to the approved electoral timetable, stressing that the statutory schedule could not be changed without a valid legal reason.
He also identified Rivers as a priority for the commission during the elections, given that it has the highest number of registered voters in the South-South region.
According to figures released by INEC, Rivers has 3,736,434 registered voters, followed by Delta with 3,525,988. Edo has 2,865,263, Akwa Ibom 2,566,198, Cross River 1,928,978, while Bayelsa has 1,200,691.
The six states have a combined total of 15,823,550 registered voters.
The INEC chairman urged electoral officers in the region to ensure that eligible voters are not prevented from participating in the elections because of administrative or operational shortcomings.
He disclosed that the commission had received more than 5,000 requests for corrections to voters’ details, including names and dates of birth, as well as over 600 objections to the register.
Amupitan said the complaints were being reviewed, adding that the final voters’ register would be published on December 15, 2026.
He explained that although he initially considered conducting a fresh validation of the voters’ register after assuming office, the plan was abandoned because of concerns that there would not be enough time to complete the exercise before the general elections.
On election security, the INEC chairman said the commission was collaborating with the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies to protect voters, electoral officials and election materials.
He insisted that Nigerians must be able to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and vote without fear of violence or intimidation.
Amupitan also addressed concerns about the possible influence of Artificial Intelligence and computer algorithms on the 2027 elections, declaring that the outcome would be determined by voters.
While ruling out the possibility of technology deciding the results, he acknowledged the growing cybersecurity risks associated with artificial intelligence and said INEC was working to strengthen its digital systems against possible attacks.
The commission’s chairman expressed confidence in its readiness, pointing to lessons from recent off-cycle elections, particularly the Osun governorship poll, which he said recorded the highest voter turnout in the state’s off-cycle election history.
He maintained that the experience would help INEC improve its preparations and deliver a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process in 2027.
