The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out any plan to postpone the 2027 general elections, insisting that preparations are progressing in line with its approved timetable.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, stated this on Saturday during an interactive meeting with commission staff and a readiness assessment exercise involving the six South-South states in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said the commission’s statutory electoral schedule was fixed and would not be altered, adding that INEC remained committed to conducting credible elections in accordance with the law.

Amupitan’s assurance comes amid allegations by some political parties that the commission was considering postponing the elections.

The INEC chairman disclosed that Rivers State would receive particular attention during the preparations because it has the highest number of registered voters in the South-South region, with 3,736,434.

Delta State has 3,525,988 registered voters, followed by Edo with 2,865,263, Akwa Ibom with 2,566,198, Cross River with 1,928,978 and Bayelsa with 1,200,691.

The six states collectively have 15,823,550 registered voters, according to the commission.

Amupitan said INEC had received more than 5,000 requests for corrections to the voters’ register, including changes to names and dates of birth, as well as over 600 objections. He said the commission was addressing the submissions ahead of the publication of the final register scheduled for December 15.

He also said the commission had abandoned an initial proposal to revalidate the voters’ register after considering the proximity of such an exercise to the general elections.

On electoral security, Amupitan said INEC was working with security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, to protect voters, election officials, ad-hoc personnel and election materials.

He stressed that the commission would not encourage Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards without ensuring that they could safely access polling units on election day.

The chairman also dismissed concerns that artificial intelligence and computer algorithms could determine the outcome of the elections, maintaining that the electorate would decide through their votes.

However, he acknowledged the cybersecurity risks associated with emerging technologies, saying INEC was strengthening its digital infrastructure against possible attacks.

Amupitan urged commission staff to remain professional and committed to their responsibilities, warning that any official found compromising the electoral process would face the consequences provided by law.

INEC's published timetable fixes February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.