The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its exclusive constitutional mandate to collate and declare election results ahead of the 2027 general election. This was stated yesterday during the launch of the Situation Room Electoral Accountability Tracker (SEAT) in Abuja by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.
INEC Warns Against Misinformation
Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, cautioned that emerging digital reporting tools must not undermine INEC's authority. He warned against the spread of misinformation in the electoral space, emphasizing that while technology opens new frontiers for citizen engagement, it also presents risks that must be carefully managed.
Olumekun reiterated that “INEC remains the only authority legally empowered to collate and declare election results.” He stressed that initiatives such as the tracker should complement, not undermine, the commission’s constitutional role.
Political Parties Express Concerns
National Treasurer of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr Dipo Olayoku, said political parties are increasingly concerned about developments in the electoral process. He noted that present conditions could affect the competitiveness of the 2027 elections.
Security Agencies Leverage Platform
Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of Election Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Abayomi Shogunle, said the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) would leverage the platform to enhance election monitoring and response.
UK High Commission Engages Stakeholders
To ensure inclusive and credible elections, the United Kingdom High Commissioner in Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, and his deputy, Gill Lever, have visited political leaders and INEC officials. Those visited include Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; 2023 presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi; and INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.
Governance Adviser at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Ayibakuro Matthew, said “the initiative reflects a growing recognition that democratic accountability requires active citizen engagement” beyond election day. He noted that the success of the platform would depend on trust, transparency, and responsible use of information by all stakeholders.
The UK High Commission, in a statement posted on its X handle, vowed to work with all contending political parties to ensure inclusive and credible elections. “We look forward to working with all parties and the international community to support inclusive and credible elections,” the post added.
