INEC Promises Every Vote Will Count in 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised that every vote will count in the 2027 general elections. They said they will keep improving their electoral processes and use technology to ensure transparency and trust.

Magdalyn Aku, the Assistant Director of Voter Education and Planning at INEC, spoke about this on Wednesday at a roundtable organized by the 2026 News Agency of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abuja.

The roundtable was called, “Making Nigerians’ Vote Count in 2027: The Role of INEC.” Aku said that ensuring every vote counts is a key part of INEC’s job and not just a campaign phrase.

She said, “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.”

Aku emphasized that INEC stays neutral during elections. She said their main focus is on protecting the rights of Nigerian voters, not deciding who wins.

“Our focus is on the Nigerian voter. We do not care about the person who wins or loses the election; it is on the Nigerian voter, and that’s why we’re always placing premium on the voter to recognize the fact that you are the kingmaker,” she explained.

She mentioned that INEC has made many improvements in how they manage elections. They have moved from Smart Card Readers to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and introduced the INEC Result Viewing Portal for sharing results in real-time.

She said, “INEC continues to up their game and improve its processes. You remember when we started with the Smart Card Readers, right? And now we have moved to the BVAS. We keep improving our processes.”

Aku added that results will first be shown at polling units before they are uploaded electronically to the IReV for more transparency.

She also talked about how INEC is committed to including everyone, especially people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, making sure no eligible voter is left out.

She encouraged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and understand the power of their vote. “If your vote doesn’t matter, why does somebody want to buy it? And why do you want to sell your vote?” she asked.

Aku continued, “Your vote is your voice. Do not sit on the fence. INEC has put all the systems in place. All of us, it’s an all-hands-on-deck thing. All of us must work together to ensure that the systems put in place work effectively.”

Grace Ike, the NUJ FCT Chairman, said that for elections to be credible, everyone must take responsibility.

“Credibility is not the burden of INEC alone. Journalists, media organizations, civil society, security agencies and the electorate must all play clear, accountable roles to ensure that every citizen’s vote matters,” she said.

Ike also urged journalists to act professionally when covering elections. “If journalists see something, they should write something.”

Lawyer Frank Tietie called on INEC to keep its independence. He said, “INEC must maintain its independence. Outcomes of elections should be determined at the polling units and not in courtrooms.”

Austin Aigbe, a regional officer with the Civil Society Organization, West Africa Democracy Network, supported the idea of an Election Situation Room and stressed the need for BVAS use. “There must be emphasis on the use of BVAS,” he said.

Comrade Collins Yakubu-Hammer, the Chairman of the NAN NUJ Chapel, said INEC should keep holding free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections. He said political parties, security agencies and citizens must also do their parts to protect the electoral process.

The NUJ FCT council announced plans to set up a special Election Situation Room for the 2027 elections. This room will monitor electoral events, check reports, help journalists in the field and respond quickly to threats against voters and media personnel.