The Independent National Electoral Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every vote counts in the 2027 general elections, saying it will continue to improve its electoral processes and deploy technology to enhance transparency and credibility.
- +2027: INEC vows every vote will count
Representing the commission, the Assistant Director of Voter Education and Planning at INEC, Magdalyn Aku, stated this on Wednesday at the 2026 News Agency of Nigeria and Nigeria Union of Journalists Democracy Roundtable in Abuja.
Representing the commission, the Assistant Director of Voter Education and Planning at INEC, Magdalyn Aku, stated this on Wednesday at the 2026 News Agency of Nigeria and Nigeria Union of Journalists Democracy Roundtable in Abuja.
The roundtable was themed, “Making Nigerians’ Vote Count in 2027: The Role of INEC.”
Aku said making every vote count was central to the commission’s mandate and not merely a campaign slogan.
She said, “For INEC, making your vote count is not just a slogan; it is the bedrock of our democracy, and we always try to ensure that we put in the right processes, the right tools to ensure that every individual’s vote counts.”
She stressed that the commission remained neutral in the electoral process, insisting that its focus was on protecting the rights of Nigerian voters rather than determining election winners.
“Our focus is on the Nigerian voter. We do not care about the person who wins or loses the election; it is on the Nigerian voter, and that’s why we’re always placing premium on the voter to recognise the fact that you are the kingmaker,” she said.
Aku said INEC had consistently improved its election management processes, noting the transition from Smart Card Readers to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the deployment of the INEC Result Viewing Portal for real-time results transmission.
She said, “INEC continues to up their game and improve its processes. You remember when we started with the Smart Card Readers, right? And now we have moved to the BVAS. We keep improving our processes.”
She added that election results were first displayed at polling units before being uploaded electronically to IReV to enhance transparency.
The INEC official also highlighted the commission’s commitment to inclusivity through policies targeting persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, saying no eligible voter would be left behind.
She urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and recognise the power of the ballot.
“If your vote doesn’t matter, why does somebody want to buy it? And why do you want to sell your vote?” she asked.
Aku added, “Your vote is your voice. Do not sit on the fence. INEC has put all the systems in place. All of us, it’s an all-hands-on-deck thing.
“All of us must work together to ensure that the systems put in place work effectively.”
The NUJ FCT Chairman, Grace Ike, said credible elections required the collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
“Credibility is not the burden of INEC alone. Journalists, media organisations, civil society, security agencies and the electorate must all play clear, accountable roles to ensure that every citizen’s vote matters,” she said.
She also challenged journalists to uphold professionalism during election coverage, saying, “If journalists see something, they should write something.”
A legal practitioner, Frank Tietie, urged INEC to preserve its independence, saying, “INEC must maintain its independence. Outcomes of elections should be determined at the polling units and not in courtrooms.”
Regional Advocacy Officer of the Civil Society Organisation, West Africa Democracy Network, Austin Aigbe, endorsed the proposed Election Situation Room and called for greater emphasis on the use of the BVAS, saying, “There must be emphasis on the use of BVAS.”
The Chairman of the NAN NUJ Chapel, Comrade Collins Yakubu-Hammer, said INEC must continue to conduct free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections while political parties, security agencies and citizens also played their roles in safeguarding the electoral process.
The NUJ FCT council announced plans to establish a dedicated Election Situation Room for the 2027 general elections to monitor electoral developments, verify reports, support journalists in the field and coordinate rapid responses to threats against voters and media personnel.
