The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has completed readiness assessments in four of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Friday during a meeting with the ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission to Nigeria, led by former Sierra Leone Vice-President Victor Bockarie Foh.
Amupitan said the commission began the exercise in Lagos, covering the South-West, before proceeding to Kaduna in the North-West, Enugu in the South-East and the North-East, where its assessment was completed earlier in the week.
He said visits to the South-South and North-Central zones were still outstanding, with the North-Central assessment expected to take place next week.
According to the INEC chairman, the exercise is aimed at assessing operational preparedness, identifying challenges and ensuring that electoral officials understand their responsibilities ahead of the polls.
He disclosed that the commission had completed nine of the 14 activities outlined in its election timetable, developed in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026.
Amupitan said the zonal engagements would enable INEC to obtain reports from states on logistics, security and other challenges that could affect the elections. He cited difficult terrain and security concerns as factors that had prompted the commission to consider earlier deployment of personnel and election materials in some areas.
He added that the exercise also provided an opportunity to engage Resident Electoral Commissioners, local government electoral officers and departmental heads, while reinforcing professionalism, neutrality and accountability among staff.
Earlier, Foh said the ECOWAS mission was in Nigeria to assess the preparedness of INEC and other stakeholders as part of the regional body’s conflict prevention framework.
He said the delegation would meet political party leaders, government officials, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, while reviewing relevant electoral laws and the political environment ahead of the polls.
Foh added that the mission’s findings would help ECOWAS identify areas where it could support INEC and other stakeholders in ensuring peaceful and credible elections.
During the meeting, the delegation also sought clarification on whether discussions should continue in the presence of television cameras or be held privately, citing concerns about the possible disclosure of sensitive information.
