2027 polls: ADC welcomes INEC timetable, advocates stronger safeguards
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to fix February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, but urged the
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to fix February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, but urged the Commission to put in place clear manual and electronic safeguards to prevent manipulation and address concerns arising from irregularities recorded in recent off-cycle polls.
The party said the credibility of the 2027 general elections would be determined not by the early release of the timetable alone, but by transparency, effective use of technology and strict adherence to due process throughout the electoral cycles
The party said the early release of the election schedule provides political parties, stakeholders and voters with clarity for long-term planning and democratic preparation, but stressed that deeper institutional guarantees are required to secure public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said, “The credibility of the 2027 general elections will ultimately not be judged by the timeliness of the timetable alone, but by the Commission’s demonstrable commitment to transparency, technological integrity, and strict adherence to due process throughout the electoral cycle.”
The party identified real-time electronic transmission of election results as a central issue in restoring trust in the electoral process, noting that while INEC has repeatedly pledged to operate within the law, the current Electoral Act still leaves room for discretion in critical areas that directly affect confidence in results management.
“Of particular importance is the question of real-time electronic transmission of results,” the statement said, adding that ambiguities in the existing legal framework continue to raise concerns among voters and political actors.
The ADC referenced recent public engagements by the INEC Chairman in which the Commission acknowledged its technological capacity to deploy electronic transmission and reaffirmed its intention to continue using technology in elections.
Against this backdrop, the party urged the electoral body to go beyond general assurances, noting, “The ADC therefore respectfully urges INEC to provide early and unambiguous clarity to Nigerians on its readiness to adopt real-time electronic transmission of results should the necessary legal amendments be enacted".
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Beyond the issue of electronic transmission, the party called on the Commission to spell out the specific safeguards that would be put in place to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
These, it said, should include both manual and electronic guardrails to prevent manipulation and address concerns arising from irregularities recorded in some recent off-cycle elections.
“The Commission should clearly outline the specific guardrails, both manual and electronic, that will be deployed to safeguard the integrity of results management and prevent any recurrence of the irregularities that have troubled recent off-cycle elections,” the party said.
The ADC also renewed its call on the National Assembly to urgently amend the Electoral Act to remove all ambiguities surrounding electronic transmission of results and to strengthen the legal framework for transparent and credible elections.
According to the party, Nigerians have consistently demonstrated their willingness to defend the sanctity of their votes, and the responsibility now rests on institutions to match that civic vigilance with clarity and professionalism.
“Nigerians have shown, time and again, that they are ready to defend the sanctity of their votes. What is now required is for the electoral umpire to match that civic vigilance with institutional clarity, operational transparency, and administrative excellence,” the statement said.
Reaffirming its commitment to democratic deepening, the ADC said it would continue to engage constructively with INEC, the National Assembly and other stakeholders to ensure that the 2027 elections reflect the true will of the Nigerian people.
“As a party committed to democratic deepening and credible elections, the ADC will continue to engage constructively with INEC, the National Assembly, and all relevant stakeholders,” it said, stressing that public confidence in the electoral process must be earned through clear rules, consistent practice and visible accountability.
