morganable politics/elections
According to the INEC chairman, the mock accreditation is designed to rigorously test the functionality, reliability, and efficiency of the BVAS across different terrains and conditions nationwide.
KaNo—
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has announced that the nationwide mock accreditation exercise scheduled for November 2026 will serve as a comprehensive field test of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while receiving separate delegations from the Canadian High Commission and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), who paid courtesy visits to the Commission’s headquarters.
He said the exercise would enable the electoral body to assess its readiness, identify operational gaps, and strengthen the deployment of technology to ensure credible elections.
According to the INEC chairman, the mock accreditation is designed to rigorously test the functionality, reliability, and efficiency of the BVAS across different terrains and conditions nationwide.
“We will be conducting mock accreditation in November 2026 to assess our readiness for the general election. We will be subjecting our electoral equipment, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), to a rigorous field test to fortify the sanctity of the ballot during the election,” Amupitan said.
He explained that the exercise would provide the commission with valuable insights into potential technical and logistical challenges, allowing it to take corrective measures ahead of the polls.
Osun Polls Provided Insights
The Osun poll, held on August 15, 2026, recorded significant improvements in election administration, particularly in the deployment of electoral technology. The INEC chairman revealed that 3,556 out of 3,763 polling units in the state, representing 94.5 per cent, commenced accreditation and voting by 8:30 am.
He attributed the success of the election to the optimal performance of the BVAS, seamless transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal, and proactive crisis management by field officials.
“We view the success in Osun not as a final destination, but as the gold standard that will guide our preparations for 2027,” Amupitan said.
He added that the commission would consolidate the gains recorded in Osun by further improving its technological systems and operational strategies to deliver more credible and transparent elections.
Amupitan Calls For Partnership
The INEC chairman also highlighted the importance of sustained partnerships with international stakeholders, particularly Canada, in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process. He commended Canada’s continued support in areas such as electoral governance, civic education, institutional development, and gender inclusion.
Amupitan appealed for continued collaboration to ensure the success of the upcoming mock accreditation exercise and the general elections.
“Electoral administration is a multi-stakeholder enterprise. While INEC remains an unbiased umpire, support from domestic and international partners helps ensure our democratic processes evolve in step with global best practices,” he said.
During the meeting with the Canadian delegation, led by Chargé d’Affaires David Sproule, the INEC chairman outlined key areas of strategic priority for the commission.
These include consolidating technological gains, enhancing voter education, and deepening inclusivity for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups.
Amupitan Reveals INEC AI Dedicated Center
Amupitan further revealed that the commission has established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Unit to strengthen data management, voter registration, and results transmission.
He said the initiative would also help safeguard the electoral process against emerging technological threats, including the misuse of artificial intelligence.
The INEC chairman noted that the commission is looking forward to participating in the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections scheduled to hold in Ottawa, Canada, from September 9 to 11, 2026.
He described the conference as an opportunity for Nigeria to share experiences and learn from global best practices in the responsible use of technology in elections.
On the electoral timetable, Amupitan recalled that campaigns for the 2027 general election officially commenced on August 19, 2026. He added that the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and House of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
He also referenced the recent signing of the National Peace Accord by political parties and candidates, describing it as a significant step toward ensuring issue-based campaigns and reducing electoral violence.
In addition, the INEC chairman spoke on the need for a voter revalidation exercise, particularly for individuals who registered many years ago. He explained that a considerable number of voters, especially older citizens who registered as far back as 2011, may need to update or validate their records to improve the efficiency of the accreditation process.
However, he noted that due to time constraints, the revalidation exercise would not be conducted before the 2027 elections but remains a priority for the commission in the future.
Responding, the Canadian envoy, David Sproule, commended INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections. He reaffirmed Canada’s readiness to support the commission in areas where assistance is required, including election observation and technical support.
Sproule also emphasized the importance of inclusivity in the electoral process, particularly the participation of women and marginalized groups, expressing confidence in INEC’s capacity to deliver credible polls.
He described KAS as a longstanding partner of INEC and acknowledged the foundation’s contributions to promoting constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and good governance in Nigeria.
The INEC chairman noted that the commission and KAS have collaborated on several initiatives, including the development of regulatory frameworks for political parties and capacity-building programmes. He cited technical retreats held in Uyo and Lagos as part of efforts that contributed to the successful conduct of the Osun election.
In his remarks, Sprenker stated that KAS operates in more than 100 countries and has maintained a presence in Nigeria for over 25 years, working across government institutions, civil society, academia, and the media.
He recalled a recent capacity-building workshop on procurement held with INEC in Lagos in March 2026 and expressed the foundation’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the commission.
As preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections, Amupitan reiterated INEC’s commitment to leveraging technology, strengthening institutional capacity, and fostering partnerships to ensure a transparent, credible, and inclusive electoral process.
He stressed that the upcoming mock accreditation exercise would play a critical role in achieving these objectives by ensuring that all systems are thoroughly tested and optimised before election day.
“Our goal is to deliver elections that Nigerians can trust. The mock accreditation exercise is a key step in ensuring that our systems are robust, reliable, and capable of meeting the expectations of the electorate,” he said.