INEC assures votes will count in 2027, promising stronger processes, technology and transparency to protect Nigerians’ electoral choices

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that their votes will count in the 2027 general elections, promising to strengthen processes and technology aimed at protecting the integrity of the electoral process.

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INEC Deputy Director of Voter Education and Planning, Magdalene Aku, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja during a democracy roundtable organised by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Speaking on the theme, “Making Nigeria’s Vote Count in 2027: The Role of INEC,” Aku said ensuring that citizens’ choices are reflected in election outcomes remains central to the commission’s mandate.

“For INEC, making your vote count is not just a slogan; it is the bedrock of our democracy, and we always try to ensure that we put in the right processes, the right tools to ensure that every individual’s vote counts,” she said.

Aku described voters as the “ultimate kingmakers” in a constitutional democracy, stressing that INEC’s responsibility is to protect the will of the electorate rather than determine political winners or losers.

“Our focus is on the Nigerian voters. We do not care about the person who wins or loses the election; it is on the Nigerian voter,” she added.

The INEC official said the commission has continued to improve election management through technology, highlighting the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the electronic transmission of results through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

She explained that these measures were introduced to improve transparency, reduce electoral malpractice and increase public confidence in the voting process.

According to Aku, transparency begins at polling units, where results recorded on Form EC8A are displayed publicly before being transmitted electronically.

She described the polling unit result sheet as the “people’s result” because voters and observers can immediately verify the outcome before further collation.

The assurance comes as political activities continue to build ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties and stakeholders already preparing for what is expected to be a highly competitive contest.

INEC has repeatedly emphasised the importance of voter participation, credible elections and public trust as key elements in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system.

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The commission urged Nigerians to remain engaged in the electoral process, noting that informed voters and transparent procedures are essential to ensuring that democracy reflects the choices of citizens.