INEC, Stakeholders Clash Over Tech Role In 2027 Elections
Nigeria’s electoral umpire has restated its constitutional control over the collation and declaration of election results ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that emerging digital tools must not distort or weaken its mandate.
Independent National Electoral Commission made the position clear in Abuja during the launch of the Situation Room Electoral Accountability Tracker, a civic technology platform designed to monitor electoral processes. The commission cautioned that while innovation can improve transparency, it also carries risks of misinformation if not properly managed.
Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, stated that “INEC remains the only authority legally empowered to collate and declare election results,” adding that digital initiatives should “complement, not undermine” statutory responsibilities.
The tracker, unveiled by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of electoral credibility and growing reliance on technology-driven accountability tools.
Concerns over the broader electoral climate were echoed by Inter-Party Advisory Council, whose National Treasurer, Dipo Olayoku, said political parties were increasingly uneasy about developments that could affect competitiveness in 2027.
Security agencies also signalled readiness to integrate digital monitoring into election planning. The Commissioner of Police overseeing election planning and evaluation, Abayomi Shogunle, said the Nigeria Police Force would leverage the platform to strengthen response and oversight mechanisms.
Parallel diplomatic engagement has added an international dimension to preparations. The United Kingdom High Commission in Nigeria confirmed ongoing consultations with political actors and electoral authorities aimed at supporting credible polls. In a public statement, the mission said it “look[s] forward to working with all parties and the international community to support inclusive and credible elections.”
Officials involved in the outreach include the UK High Commissioner, Richard Montgomery, and Deputy High Commissioner, Gill Lever. Their engagements covered key stakeholders such as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, alongside prominent political figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, as well as INEC leadership.
At the policy level, governance officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office emphasised that citizen participation remains central to democratic accountability. Governance Adviser Ayibakuro Matthew noted that the effectiveness of such tools would depend on “trust, transparency and responsible use of information.”
The renewed assertions by INEC come amid ongoing debates about the role of technology, institutional trust, and political competition in Nigeria’s elections. With less than two years to the next general poll, stakeholders appear aligned on the need for credible processes, even as questions persist over how best to balance innovation with constitutional authority.