INEC Cannot Guarantee Perfect Elections, Says Amupitan
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has admitted that the commission cannot deliver the perfect election Nigerians desire.
Speaking at a Citizens’ Town Hall themed ‘Electoral Act 2026: What it means for your votes and the 2027 elections,’ Amupitan said INEC will do its best to conduct credible polls but cannot promise flawlessness.
“Let me just appeal to Nigerians, because I have noticed now that what Nigerians desire is a perfect election. And INEC will strive as much as possible to give this country the best election,” he said.
Amupitan clarified that while the commission is committed to free and fair elections, achieving a 100 per cent perfect process is not yet possible.
On electronic transmission of results, he attributed isolated delays to infrastructure challenges rather than unwillingness.
Citing the FCT area council election, he explained that results were declared in five of six councils, with difficult terrain and network issues delaying real-time uploads in Kuje Area Council, particularly Karshi Ward.
“The delay was logistical, not systemic. Transmission did not fail. The issue was timing, not integrity,” he said, adding that the Electoral Act provides safeguards to ensure results are properly transmitted and collated.
Amupitan identified logistics as crucial to credible elections, highlighting timely voting, peaceful conduct, effective result management, and transparent declaration as key benchmarks.
He acknowledged infrastructural and human resource challenges but reassured that institutional learning and reforms are ongoing.
The INEC chairman reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to credible, transparent, and technology-driven elections ahead of the 2027 general polls, stressing that free and fair elections are essential for stability, investor confidence, and long-term growth.
Nigeria’s presidential and National Assembly elections have been scheduled by INEC for January 16, 2027.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
