INEC Says Gombe, Kano, Bauchi, Delta Bye-Elections Test 2027 Readiness

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described the recent bye-elections in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states as important tests of its readiness for the 2027 General Election.

The INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the polls would provide operational lessons that would guide the Commission’s preparations for the nationwide election.

Amupitan spoke on Saturday while monitoring the elections from the Commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja.

The Commission conducted four legislative bye-elections across the four states.

They included the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State, Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies in Bauchi State and Udu State Constituency in Delta State.

Amupitan said INEC would use the exercises to assess its logistics, technology and field operations ahead of 2027.

“These four bye-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the Commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 General Election,” he said.

He urged officials and stakeholders not to treat bye-elections as routine exercises because each poll provides an opportunity to identify and address weaknesses.

“We must resist the temptation to view any exercise as merely an ordinary bye-election,” the chairman said.

According to him, every election allows the Commission to audit its logistics system, test its technology and assess the readiness of its field personnel.

Amupitan, alongside National Commissioners and senior management officials, monitored reports from the various locations as voting activities progressed.

He said the Situation Room also helped the Commission identify and resolve operational challenges before they could affect the conduct of the elections.

“Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution,” he said.

The INEC chairman said officials had addressed administrative and field challenges that emerged before polling day.

He assured Nigerians that the Commission would continue to improve its processes and raise the standard of future electoral exercises.

“We remain committed to refining our processes so that every subsequent exercise reflects higher standards of efficiency and public confidence,” Amupitan said.

He also commended the technical team and other officials who participated in the monitoring exercise.

Amupitan said their efforts enabled the Commission to track developments across the four states and assess its operational performance.

The bye-elections form part of the series of electoral activities expected to provide INEC with practical experience as it works towards the 2027 General Election.