We Have Fool-Proof Mechanisms For Success of 2027 Elections -Kwara INEC

By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin

Elections in 2027 will be flawless and votes will count with the arrangements already put in place ahead of the exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Head of Voters Education and Publicity at the Kwara State office of INEC, Dr Adejumo Peter gave this assurance at a seminar organised by the State Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) yesterday in Ilorin, the State capital.

The commission, according to him would do all within its powers for the 2027 general elections to reflect the wishes of residents of Kwara State in particular and Nigeria in general.

Dr Peter pooh-poohed politicians allegedly stockpiling permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) pointing out that those who still engage in such blind practices were not living in the past but were also fooling themselves because at the end of the day, such cards would be rejected by the modern voting systems by the commission.

“INEC has done a lot that people cannot use PVC of another person to vote in then elections. That is why politicians now resort to vote-buying.

“Many of the politicians are still living in the past as stocking and carting away PVCs cannot ensure electoral victory,” he said.

His words: “INEC in Kwara will follow the rules and procedures as laid down by our commission. We will ensure that the elections are done on one man, one vote basis. At the end of the exercise the outcome of the elections will reflect the will of the people.

“I urge politicians to play according to the rules. They should campaign and tell the electorates their manifestos. They should shun violence before, during and after the elections.

“Let us do the elections peacefully like sport. They should accept the outcome of the elections as it is.”

Speaking on the topic: ‘Dissecting the Amended Electoral Act 2026: Innovations, and implications for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections,’ Head, Legal Unit of the Commission Abdulfatai Atata said the amended Electoral Act 2026 “marks a transformative moment in the evolution of Nigeria’s electoral framework.”

Mr Abdulfatai added that “as Nigeria approaches 2027 general elections, the Act will serve as both a test and a tool for deepening the country’s democratic governance.”

Continuing, he said; “it introduces commendable reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, strengthening internal party democracy and leveraging technology.

At the same time, it raises critical legal and practical questions, particularly in relation to constitutional consistency, the enforceability of campaign finance limits, the ouster of judicial jurisdiction party affair and the narrowing of grounds for election petitions.

“Ultimately, the success of these innovations will depend not only on their legislative design, but also on effective implementation, institutional capacity and judicial interpretation.”