The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February 2026, as critical test runs ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made this known at the opening of a two-day Induction and Strategic Retreat for newly appointed Commission Members and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), held in Lagos.
Amupitan said that although the Commission’s ultimate focus remains the successful conduct of the 2027 general election, INEC must first navigate a series of key electoral milestones that will shape its preparedness.
“These elections will serve as important testing grounds for refining voter register management, election logistics, and the deployment of election technology such as the **Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS),” he stated.
He explained that the induction and retreat were designed to familiarise new officials with INEC’s institutional framework, administrative structure, communication processes, and ethical standards, while also aligning leadership around shared strategic goals.
Reaffirming INEC’s commitment to democratic integrity, the Chairman said the Commission remains resolute in delivering free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive elections, as it intensifies institutional preparations for 2027.
According to him, INEC is deliberately strengthening its leadership capacity, operational systems, and institutional coherence in response to rising public expectations and increasing scrutiny of the electoral process.
Amupitan stressed that early planning, effective coordination, and strict adherence to the rule of law would be critical to the credibility and success of the 2027 general elections.
He outlined five non-negotiable pillars guiding the Commission’s mandate:
Elections free from undue interference
Fairness to all political parties and candidates
Credibility in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community
Transparency at every stage of the electoral process
Inclusivity to ensure no eligible Nigerian is disenfranchised
Also speaking, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami, described the retreat as a significant milestone in INEC’s ongoing institutional development.
He noted that early planning, strategic coordination, and institutional cohesion are indispensable as the Commission moves steadily toward the 2027 general elections.
Salami added that the engagement provides a valuable platform for reflection, strategic alignment, and institutional consolidation at a time when public expectations of the electoral process are higher than ever.
