2027: INEC to test BVAS, conduct mock election

The Independent National Electoral Commission will conduct a test-run of its electoral technology in November as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections, its Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, has said.

Agboke, who disclosed this in Akure on Friday, said the commission was also testing the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices expected to be deployed for the elections.

The REC, represented by the Head of Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Inclusivity, Olayinka Ogunseye, spoke at the 2026 edition of a political programme, The Convocation, with the theme, ‘Electioneering and the Future of Nigeria’s Democracy.’

He said the commission was taking practical steps to improve the credibility and inclusiveness of the 2027 elections, adding that voter education and sensitisation would also be intensified ahead of the polls.

“We want to assure Nigerians that INEC is working towards an election that would be free, fair, inclusive and acceptable,” Agboke said.

Speaking at the programme, the state Chairman of the Young Progressives Party, Dotun Ojon, urged Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process.

Ojon said the YPP was preparing for the 2027 elections with a focus on winning seats in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly rather than concentrating solely on the presidential election.

He also called for greater opportunities for smaller political parties to win legislative seats, arguing that a strong opposition was necessary for effective accountability in governance.

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Also speaking, a former Commissioner for Sports in the state, Dayo Awude, identified the high cost of electioneering and lack of internal democracy within political parties as some of the challenges confronting the electoral process.

Awude urged Nigerians not to lose faith in democracy, saying citizens must remain engaged to achieve electoral reforms.

“We may not be where we ought to be, but definitely we are taking one step at a time. I believe things are better now than they were before now. So we are moving on,” he said.

The convener of the programme, Henry Olonimoyo, said continuous dialogue was necessary to prevent particularly young Nigerians from losing interest in democracy.

He said the platform was established to enable citizens to express their views and engage elected officials and other stakeholders on governance.

Olonimoyo added that many young Nigerians had never experienced military rule and were becoming disenchanted with democracy, making continued civic education important.