The House of Representatives has resolved to summon the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to appear before the House within seven (7) legislative days to present a comprehensive briefing on the Commission’s state of readiness for the upcoming 2027 General Elections.
The decision followed the unanimous adoption of a critical motion co-sponsored by Hon. Mansur Manu Soro and Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, entitled “Need for a Comprehensive Assessment of the State of Readiness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the Conduct of the 2027 General Elections.”
Pursuant to Sections 76, 116, 132, and 178 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Part I of the Third Schedule, and the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC is constitutionally tasked with organizing and supervising elections into elective offices across Nigeria. The House emphasized that public trust, transparency, and credibility in 2027 rely on early institutional preparedness.
Lawmakers expressed grave concerns over reports from registration centres across the nation detailing inadequate registration equipment, limited personnel, network glitches, and long queues. These difficulties disproportionately affect first-time voters, rural residents, students, workers, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The motion noted that the recently conducted Ekiti State Governorship Election provided vital operational insights into technology deployment, logistics management, security coordination, and voter participation that must guide general election preparations.
The House underscored that delays in logistics planning, recruitment, security mapping, or funding releases could erode public confidence and jeopardize a peaceful electoral process.
The House has requested the INEC Chairman to provide a detailed status report and legislative briefing covering:
- National CVR progress, along with Permanent Voter Card (PVC) production and distribution metrics.
- Readiness and deployment plans for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
- Recruitment and training status of electoral officers, comprehensive risk assessments, and electoral security coordination.
- Details of budgetary appropriations, total funds released, outstanding disbursements, and the potential impact of any funding shortfalls on critical timelines.
Proactive legislative oversight and early involvement ensure that vital national agencies are well-funded, fully prepared, and held accountable for conducting transparent, credible, and peaceful elections across the country.
