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 the 2027 general election.
The invitation followed a motion co-sponsored by Mansur Soro (APM, Bauchi) and Abdussamad Dasuki (ADC, Sokoto) during Wednesday’s plenary.
Soro, the lead sponsor, said the credibility, transparency and acceptability of the 2027 elections would largely depend on INEC’s preparations, including voter registration, voter education, personnel training, security coordination and the timely implementation of the electoral timetable.
Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Voter Registration
The lawmaker expressed concern over operational challenges reported at some continuous voter registration (CVR) centres across the country.
The reported challenges include inadequate registration equipment, staff shortages, network disruptions and long waiting times.
According to Soro, these problems could restrict access to voter registration, particularly for first-time voters, rural residents, persons with disabilities, students and workers, if not addressed promptly.
He also cited the recently concluded Ekiti governorship election as an opportunity for INEC to draw lessons on election administration, technology deployment, logistics management, stakeholder engagement, security and voter participation.
Reps Seek Details of INEC’s Preparations
Soro said early institutional preparedness was essential to ensuring the timely procurement of election materials, deployment of technology, recruitment and training of personnel, voter education, security planning, electoral risk assessment and nationwide logistics management.
He warned that delays in addressing operational gaps could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and affect the peaceful conduct of the 2027 general election.
“Any delay in addressing existing operational gaps in voter registration, logistics, technology deployment and funding may adversely affect public confidence in the electoral process and compromise the peaceful conduct of the 2027 general election,” he said.
The lawmaker asked the House to invite Amupitan to brief lawmakers within seven days on the commission’s level of preparedness.
The proposed briefing would cover progress in continuous voter registration, the production and distribution of permanent voter cards (PVCs), election technology and logistics readiness, and the identification of areas facing operational challenges.
It would also address the recruitment and training of election officials, budgetary appropriations, funds released, outstanding releases and the potential impact of funding gaps on implementation timelines.
Deputy Speaker Rejects Plenary Briefing
However, Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the House, rejected the proposal for Amupitan to brief lawmakers during plenary.
Kalu instead proposed that the INEC chairman appear before the House Committee on Electoral Matters, with any interested lawmaker permitted to attend the session.
The proposal was adopted after Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the House, put it to a voice vote.
Chronicle NG reports that the House’s decision shifts the proposed briefing to the Committee on Electoral Matters, where lawmakers are expected to examine INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general election.
