2027: INEC addresses candidates’ list complaints, says preparations on track

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it has completed nine of the 14 activities contained in its timetable for the 2027 general elections, with preparations for the polls intensifying.

The commission disclosed this on Wednesday at a youth engagement programme in Abuja, where its National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Haruna, represented the INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan.

The event, titled “The Electorate: A Youth Dialogue with INEC,” is in collaboration with Yiaga Africa, Enough is Enough Nigeria and the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) under the theme, “Let’s Talk About the 2027 Elections.”

Mr Haruna said the commission had made substantial progress in implementing its electoral timetable, which includes the conduct of political party primaries, publication of the voters’ register and release of the final list of candidates for the elections.

He described the voters’ register as a key component of the electoral process, noting that it would be used to determine eligible voters for accreditation on election day.

The national commissioner said the publication of candidates nominated by political parties was also among the activities already completed.

He, however, acknowledged that the initial publication generated complaints from some political parties over alleged omissions and discrepancies in the names released by the commission.

According to him, INEC had invited affected parties to submit petitions and was working to resolve the complaints before finalising the candidates’ list.

Mr Haruna said the commission had also increased the frequency of its meetings as the elections drew closer to review its level of preparedness and take decisions required for the smooth conduct of the polls.

How INEC is structured

Mr Haruna also explained the structure of INEC, saying the commission is headed by “a chairman and 12 national commissioners who are responsible for policy decisions.”

He said the commission also has resident electoral commissioners deployed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He explained that national commissioners are nominated by the president, considered by the Council of State and subsequently confirmed by the Senate.

Young Nigerians and 2027 elections

Speaking at the event, Yiaga Africa’s Programme Manager for Governance, Yetunde Bakari, called for deliberate measures to ensure that young Nigerians can participate safely and meaningfully in the 2027 elections.

Ms Bakari said young people should not be viewed merely as voters, but also as candidates, community mobilisers and participants in shaping Nigeria’s democratic future.

She cited findings from a Yiaga Africa voting intention survey which showed that 84 per cent of respondents were likely or very likely to vote in the 2027 elections.

However, she said 61 per cent of those surveyed feared that electoral violence could prevent them from voting.

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She added that only 40 per cent of young respondents said they were very likely to participate in the elections, describing the figure as a concern that should be addressed by electoral stakeholders.

“Encouraging young people to vote will not be enough if we do not create conditions that make their participation safe, accessible and worthwhile,” she said.

Ms Bakari commended INEC for beginning preparations early, citing measures such as online voter registration, printable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), planned nationwide mock accreditation exercises and efforts to strengthen the governance of electoral technology and artificial intelligence.

She, however, said INEC’s preparedness must be visible to citizens, arguing that public confidence would depend on transparency, effective communication and the credibility of the electoral process.

She urged the commission to communicate promptly with voters whenever technical or operational challenges arise, ensure transparency in the deployment of AI and make adequate arrangements for eligible voters in hard-to-reach communities.

Ms Bakari also urged young Nigerians to rely on credible sources of information, reject electoral violence and misinformation, and continue to hold elected officials accountable after the elections.