2027 ELECTION: NO PREDETERMINED RESULTS, INEC CHAIRMAN ASSURES NIGERIANS

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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that there will be no predetermined results in the 2027 general elections, while stressing that ongoing legal disputes arising from political party primaries will not prevent the polls from taking place.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance during a panel session at the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Owerri, Imo State.

The conference, which focused on developing a Nigeria Police roadmap for effective election security management, also addressed concerns over insecurity, electoral violence and other challenges ahead of the 2027 polls.

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Amupitan said security remained a major concern for the commission, particularly in states experiencing insecurity, warning that violence could prevent some Nigerians from exercising their right to vote.

He said INEC was collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force, the lead agency for election security, to develop strategies for conducting elections in areas affected by insecurity.

The INEC chairman also expressed concern over the growing emphasis on personality-driven politics and intolerance among political actors. He urged political parties to base their campaigns on issues rather than personal attacks and denigration of opponents.

Amupitan said INEC was also working with law enforcement agencies to ensure that individuals suspected of violating the Electoral Act were arrested, investigated and prosecuted.

On disputes arising from party primaries, he explained that the cases were matters for the courts and would be resolved through the judicial process without stopping the 2027 elections.

He noted that the Electoral Act provides a legal framework for resolving such disputes through the courts up to the final appellate level.

According to Amupitan, elections are contested by political parties rather than individual candidates, meaning pending litigation over primaries would not prevent parties from participating in the elections.

He added that INEC would comply with whatever final decisions are reached by the courts.

Addressing electoral malpractice, the INEC chairman said the commission was strengthening its intelligence-gathering capabilities to tackle vote buying, noting that such activities were increasingly being organised away from polling units.

He disclosed that INEC was working towards establishing a joint task force involving the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Attorney-General’s office and relevant security agencies to strengthen the fight against electoral offences.

Amupitan noted that INEC lacked arrest and investigative powers, making cooperation with security and justice agencies essential.

He said the commission would also focus on improving logistics and election result management while addressing shortcomings identified during previous elections.

On inter-agency collaboration, Amupitan said recommendations from the Owerri retreat would be presented to the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, which comprises INEC, the police and other security and relevant agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser.

He said lessons from recent off-cycle elections, including those in Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory and Osun, would guide preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan said the commission remained committed to conducting a transparent, free, fair, credible and inclusive election in 2027.