Key Takeaways
- INEC assures Nigerians that votes cast during the 2027 general elections will count
- The commission pledges to conduct credible polls that reflect the will of the electorate
- INEC introduces measures to prevent voter fraud, including impossibility of using another person's PVC to vote
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given its assurance to Nigerians that the votes cast during the 2027 general elections will indeed count. This pledge was made by the Head of Voter Education and Publicity, INEC Kwara State, Dr. Adejumo Peter, during a seminar organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin.
According to Dr. Peter, the commission is committed to ensuring that the outcome of the elections reflects the wishes of the people. He emphasized that INEC has introduced measures that make it impossible for anyone to use another person’s Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to vote, thereby rendering the practice of stockpiling PVCs by some politicians as outdated and ineffective.
Conducting Elections Based on One Person, One Vote
Dr. Peter reiterated INEC’s commitment to conducting elections based on the principle of “one person, one vote.” He stated that the commission in Kwara will follow the rules and procedures laid down by the commission, ensuring that elections are conducted on this basis. The outcome of the elections, he assured, will reflect the will of the people.
The Head of INEC’s Legal Unit in Kwara State, Atata Abdulfatai, also spoke on the theme, highlighting the amended Electoral Act 2026 as a major milestone in Nigeria’s electoral evolution. The legislation introduces reforms aimed at improving transparency, strengthening internal party democracy, and expanding the use of technology in the electoral process.
However, Abdulfatai noted that the law also raises legal and practical issues relating to constitutional consistency, enforcement of campaign finance limits, judicial jurisdiction over party affairs, and the grounds for election petitions. The success of these innovations, he said, will depend not only on their legislative design but also on effective implementation, institutional capacity, and judicial interpretation.
Dr. Peter also urged politicians to conduct their campaigns peacefully and in accordance with the law, focusing on presenting their manifestoes rather than resorting to violence. He emphasized the importance of accepting the outcome of the elections, conducting elections peacefully, and upholding the principles of sportsmanship.
Why This Matters
The guarantee of credible elections by INEC is crucial for the stability and development of Nigeria, as it ensures that the will of the people is reflected in the electoral process. The introduction of measures to prevent voter fraud and the emphasis on conducting elections based on the principle of one person, one vote are significant steps towards achieving this goal.