Explainer: INEC to conduct mock presidential election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to hold a mock presidential election before the 2027 general polls, aimed at testing its result-transmission infrastructure and avoiding the technical glitches that marred the 2023 elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed the plan at a Citizens’ Townhall on the Electoral Act 2026 in Abuja on Sunday. He assured Nigerians that the commission was determined to deliver what he described as “the best election Nigeria has ever had.”

Why a Mock Election?

Amupitan explained that while the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was piloted during off-cycle governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti before 2023, the nationwide presidential poll exposed gaps in large-scale stress testing.

“Election anywhere in the world is now about technology, but before deploying any technology, it is important to test it thoroughly… One of the things we are trying to do before the election is to have a mock presidential election, so that we are sure that this transmission across the state must not fail,” he said.

He added that the glitches seen in 2023 would not recur:

“The glitch is eliminated; by God’s grace, it will not surface in Nigeria.”

Revised Timetable

INEC recently shifted the 2027 election dates:

• Presidential and National Assembly elections: January 16, 2027.
• Governorship and State Assembly elections: February 6, 2027.

This revision followed the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which introduced new statutory timelines.

Operational Challenges

Amupitan acknowledged that logistics and result management remain critical hurdles.

“Result management and logistics are two basic issues that, from our own end, we’re trying to see how best we’re able to manage them very well, so as to enhance the transparency and credibility of the system,” he noted, stressing that network availability—not electronic transmission itself—was the main challenge.

The amended Electoral Act allows both electronic and manual collation methods, depending on infrastructure availability. Supporters say this hybrid model is pragmatic, while critics argue it could weaken transparency. Opposition parties, including the ADC and NNPP, have demanded further amendments, describing the law as skewed ahead of 2027.

Despite the debate, Amupitan expressed optimism:

“By the grace of God, the 2027 election will be the best Nigeria has ever had. We want a process that guarantees legitimacy and confidence. When people trust INEC and their leaders, the country will move forward.”

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