KEY POINTS
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Reps invite INEC chairman Amupitan to explain 2027 election readiness.
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Lawmakers raise concerns over voter registration, technology and funding.
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Amupitan will brief the Electoral Matters Committee, not the full House.
The House of Representatives has invited Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to brief lawmakers on the commission’s preparedness for Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
The invitation followed a motion co-sponsored by Mansur Soro, a member representing Bauchi State under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Abdussamad Dasuki of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), representing Sokoto State.
The lawmakers said early preparation by the electoral commission would be essential to ensuring that the 2027 elections are credible, transparent, peaceful and acceptable to Nigerians.
However, the House resolved that Amupitan should appear before its Committee on Electoral Matters rather than address lawmakers during plenary. The decision followed a proposal by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, which was adopted through a voice vote conducted by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Lawmakers raise concerns over voter registration
Leading the motion during Wednesday’s plenary, Soro expressed concern about operational challenges reported at some continuous voter registration (CVR) centres across the country.
The reported problems include inadequate registration equipment, insufficient personnel, network disruptions and long waiting times for prospective voters.
According to the lawmaker, these challenges could prevent eligible Nigerians from registering to vote, particularly first-time voters, rural residents, students, workers and persons with disabilities.
He warned that failure to address the problems promptly could undermine access to voter registration and weaken public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
Soro stressed that voter registration is a fundamental part of election preparation because eligible citizens must be able to register and obtain the necessary documentation to participate in the democratic process.
INEC urged to strengthen election planning
The lawmakers said the credibility and public acceptance of the 2027 elections would depend largely on INEC’s ability to address administrative and operational challenges well before election day.
They identified voter education, personnel recruitment and training, security coordination, logistics planning, technology deployment and compliance with the election timetable as critical areas requiring attention.
Soro also warned that delays in procuring election materials, deploying technology and releasing funds could disrupt the commission’s preparations.
He said addressing existing gaps early would give INEC enough time to identify potential problems, coordinate with relevant agencies and implement measures to reduce electoral risks across the country.
The lawmaker noted that effective planning would also be necessary to ensure that election officials are adequately trained and that voting materials reach polling locations on time.
He cautioned that delays involving voter registration, funding, logistics and technology could damage public confidence and threaten the peaceful conduct of the elections.
Ekiti governorship election offers lessons
Soro cited the recently concluded Ekiti governorship election as an opportunity for INEC to assess its election management procedures and identify areas requiring improvement before the 2027 general election.
He said the experience offered lessons in logistics management, technology deployment, stakeholder engagement, security arrangements and voter participation.
According to the lawmaker, applying lessons from the state election could help the commission improve its operational plans and prepare for the greater logistical demands of a nationwide election.
He stressed that the commission should not wait until the election year to resolve challenges that could be identified and addressed in advance.
Reps seek details of INEC’s funding and readiness
Under the motion, the lawmakers proposed that Amupitan brief the House within seven days on several aspects of the commission’s preparations.
These include progress in continuous voter registration, the production and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and the readiness of election technology and logistics.
The proposed briefing would also cover the identification and mapping of areas facing operational difficulties, as well as the recruitment and training of election personnel.
Lawmakers further sought details of INEC’s budgetary allocations, the funds released to the commission, outstanding releases and the potential impact of funding shortfalls on its election timetable.
The requested information is intended to help legislators assess whether INEC has the resources and institutional capacity needed to organise the 2027 elections effectively.
Deputy speaker redirects briefing to committee
Although the motion sought an appearance before the full House during plenary, Deputy Speaker Kalu proposed that the INEC chairman should instead appear before the Committee on Electoral Matters.
Kalu added that any lawmaker interested in the briefing could attend the committee session.
Speaker Abbas subsequently put the proposal to a voice vote, and lawmakers adopted it.
The decision means the commission’s preparedness will be examined through the relevant legislative committee rather than through a plenary briefing.
The engagement is expected to provide lawmakers with an opportunity to scrutinise INEC’s progress, identify potential shortcomings and assess the steps being taken to ensure that preparations remain on schedule.
