2027: INEC Says Gombe, Kano, Bauchi, Delta Bye-Elections Offer Vital Lessons

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has described the bye-elections conducted in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta States as important operational exercises that will provide lessons for the 2027 general election.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made this known on Saturday while monitoring the elections from the commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja.

The commission conducted legislative bye-elections in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano, Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies in Bauchi, and Udu State Constituency in Delta.

Amupitan said the elections should not be regarded as routine exercises, stressing that every off-cycle poll provides an opportunity for INEC to assess its preparedness for larger elections.

“These four bye-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the Commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 General Election,” he said.

According to him, the exercises would enable the commission to audit its logistics framework, test its technological systems and evaluate the readiness of its field personnel.

Amupitan said INEC had also identified and addressed operational challenges that emerged before voting commenced.

“Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution,” he said.

The INEC chairman added that the commission remained committed to improving its processes so that subsequent elections would meet higher standards of efficiency and strengthen public confidence in the electoral system.

He monitored reports from the various states alongside national commissioners and senior management officials as voting progressed.

Amupitan also commended the technical team and other officials involved in the monitoring exercise for their role in ensuring that the commission received and assessed field reports across the four states.

The commission said the experience from the bye-elections would form part of its continuing preparations for the 2027 general election, particularly in the areas of logistics, technology, field administration and timely resolution of operational challenges.