As Nigeria’s registered voter population exceeds 103 million, the National Rescue Movement (NRM) calls on INEC to turn its promises of technological innovation and logistical preparedness into a transparent, credible and verifiable electoral process.
Nigeria’s 2027 general elections will be a major test of the country’s democratic institutions. With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announcing a national register of more than 103 million voters, the scale of the task ahead is enormous. But the size of the register alone will not determine the credibility of the elections. What matters is whether every eligible Nigerian can vote freely, every valid vote is accurately recorded, and the final results reflect the genuine choice of the electorate.
According to a report published by BBC News Pidgin on October 6, 2026, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, announced that the commission had completed its three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and biometric cleanup, adding more than 10.7 million new voters to the register.
The commission has also outlined plans to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) for anomaly detection and cybersecurity, strengthen electronic result verification, conduct nationwide mock accreditation exercises, acquire additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices and improve election-day logistics.
These measures are welcome in principle. However, the NRM believes that Nigerians must be able to assess the commission’s readiness through clear evidence, public scrutiny and independently verifiable safeguards—not announcements alone.
A larger voter register demands greater transparency
INEC’s announcement of more than 103 million registered voters places an important responsibility on the commission to demonstrate that the register is accurate, current and free from avoidable errors.
The planned public display of the register from October 9 to 15, 2026, presents an important opportunity for eligible voters, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to identify inaccuracies and raise legitimate concerns.
The NRM urges INEC to make this process accessible and effective, provide clear instructions for checking voter details, establish responsive channels for complaints and explain how identified errors will be investigated and corrected.
The commission should also publish a clear account of how the biometric cleanup was conducted and how duplicate, ineligible or otherwise invalid entries were addressed, while protecting voters’ personal information.
Public confidence cannot rest solely on the number of names on a register. It must rest on confidence in the integrity of the process that produced it.
AI in elections: innovation must come with accountability
INEC’s proposed use of artificial intelligence to identify unusual system activity and protect public portals against cyberattacks could strengthen election security. The commission’s reported plans for enhanced result verification and human oversight are also important.
However, technology is not a substitute for institutional accountability.
The NRM calls on INEC to explain, in accessible language, what its AI systems will do, what decisions they will not make, how suspected anomalies will be investigated and what safeguards will prevent technical errors from unfairly affecting candidates, parties or voters.
The commission should also make appropriate independent testing, cybersecurity assessments and audit arrangements available for public scrutiny without exposing sensitive security information.
Most importantly, every result must remain traceable to verifiable polling-unit records. Technology should support the accurate recording, transmission and verification of results—not obscure the process or make it harder for citizens and authorised observers to challenge discrepancies.
Human oversight must be meaningful, documented and accountable.
Election logistics: promises must translate into performance
INEC has identified the delivery of materials to 176,846 polling units across 8,838 registration areas as a major logistical undertaking. The commission has also reported plans to use more than 100,000 vehicles and 4,000 boats to transport personnel and materials, including to hard-to-reach communities.
These preparations will be critical, particularly in remote areas where transportation, communications and security challenges can affect the timely opening of polling units.
The NRM urges INEC to publish regular readiness updates covering the testing of BVAS devices, training of electoral personnel, distribution of materials, contingency arrangements and measures to minimise delays and equipment failures.
The proposed nationwide mock accreditation exercises should be treated as a serious operational test. Lessons learned should be documented, weaknesses corrected and appropriate findings communicated to the public before election day.
A credible election requires more than procurement figures. It requires functioning equipment, adequately trained personnel, reliable transport and a clear plan for responding when something goes wrong.
Voter registration must lead to meaningful participation
INEC’s reported figures show that women account for approximately 48.25 per cent of registered voters, while voters aged 35 to 49 constitute the largest age group. These figures underline the importance of making participation accessible to Nigerians across different ages, locations and circumstances.
The NRM calls for sustained voter education, clear communication about Permanent Voter Card collection, accessible polling arrangements and practical support for voters with disabilities, older citizens and communities that face barriers to participation.
The commission must also communicate clearly about collection deadlines, polling-unit locations and the procedures voters should follow if their details are incorrect or their cards are unavailable.
A voter register is meaningful only when eligible citizens can use it to exercise their democratic rights.
Electoral security and a level playing field
The credibility of the 2027 elections will depend not only on INEC’s technology and logistics, but also on the conduct of political parties, security agencies and other institutions involved in the process.
The NRM calls on the relevant authorities to take credible measures against vote-buying, intimidation, electoral violence and the obstruction of lawful political activity. Security agencies must act professionally and impartially, while political parties and candidates must be able to campaign and participate under fair and consistent rules.
INEC should maintain transparent channels for receiving complaints, explain how electoral offences and procedural breaches are referred to the appropriate authorities, and provide timely public updates on significant incidents.
Equal treatment must be demonstrated in practice. Every registered political party and candidate deserves consistent application of the electoral rules, without favouritism or discrimination.
Staff welfare and institutional independence
The commission’s reported decision to improve staff remuneration and welfare raises another important issue: the relationship between the working conditions of electoral personnel and the quality of election administration.
Adequate remuneration, training, professional support and clear disciplinary standards can help strengthen performance. However, improved welfare must be accompanied by strong accountability systems, ethical conduct and protection from improper political influence.
INEC’s independence must be visible in its decisions, communication and treatment of all participants in the electoral process. Public confidence depends on the commission demonstrating that its responsibilities are discharged fairly and without partisan interference.
The NRM’s position: readiness must be demonstrated
With the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for February 6, 2027, the remaining preparation period is critical.
The NRM calls on INEC to provide regular, evidence-based updates on voter-register corrections, PVC collection, technology testing, staff training, logistics, cybersecurity and election security. The commission should also engage political parties, civil society, the media and election observers constructively, while ensuring that legitimate concerns receive timely responses.
These demands are not a rejection of technological innovation or the commission’s stated preparations. They are a call to ensure that the preparations deliver measurable results and strengthen public confidence.
Nigeria’s democracy is too important to depend on assurances alone. A credible election requires transparent procedures, reliable technology, impartial administration, informed voters and effective remedies when irregularities occur.
The NRM’s message is clear: 103 million registered voters represent 103 million democratic interests that must be protected. INEC must demonstrate—not merely declare—that it is ready to deliver elections in which every eligible Nigerian can participate freely and every legitimate vote counts.