INEC Promises Better Elections in 2027 After Osun Poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has pledged to improve its conduct of elections in the 2027 general elections, following commendations over the outcome of the recent Osun State governorship poll.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, gave the assurance on Thursday when he received a solidarity delegation at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The delegation comprised representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, community leaders, youth and women groups, as well as other democratic stakeholders.

The group visited the commission to commend INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, and the electoral body for the conduct of the August 15 Osun governorship election.

Representing Amupitan, Haruna reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections, saying the commission would continue to improve its performance from one election to another.

“We are committed to conducting free, fair and credible elections,” Haruna said.

He added that the commission would build on the experience recorded during the Osun election ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The INEC commissioner said the next general election would be expected to demonstrate further improvements in the electoral process.

Earlier, the delegation’s convener, Obed Agu, explained that the visit was not a protest but an appreciation of the commission’s performance in Osun.

He said the delegation had reviewed the pre-election preparations, election-day activities, security arrangements, results management and stakeholder engagement surrounding the poll during a two-day National Post-Election Discourse organised by the African Centre for Justice and Human Rights.

According to Agu, the review renewed the group’s confidence in the electoral process and earned the INEC leadership its commendation.

He said the Osun election recorded more than 40 per cent voter turnout, while results were uploaded in real time, enabling citizens to monitor the process.

Agu stressed that the commendation was not based on the fact that an opposition candidate won the election, saying INEC would have received similar recognition if the ruling party had won under credible circumstances.

He urged the commission to improve further in 2027, particularly in ensuring equal treatment of voters and political parties.

The delegation also urged INEC to maintain its independence, transparency and adherence to electoral timelines.

It acknowledged the roles of President Bola Tinubu and security agencies in creating what it described as an environment that enabled the Osun election to proceed without undue interference.

The group called on INEC to sustain the gains recorded in Osun and strengthen public confidence ahead of the 2027 elections.