The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sought technical support from the African Union (AU) as preparations intensify for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
An AU Pre-Election and Needs Assessment Mission, led by former Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonnen, visited INEC headquarters in Abuja.
The mission, which runs from September 13 to 19, 2026, is assessing Nigeria’s readiness for the elections.
Mekonnen said the team would examine voter registration, electoral technology, logistics, funding, inclusion and transparency.
He added that the mission would identify gaps that could affect the elections and recommend possible solutions.
INEC’s Acting Chairman, Prof Rhoda Gumus, said Nigeria’s voter population is approaching 100 million.
She said the commission is preparing 176,846 polling units and expects more than 1.4 million personnel to participate in the elections.
Gumus said recent off-cycle elections had helped INEC test reforms under the country’s electoral legal framework.
She listed BVAS, the IReV result-viewing portal and collaboration with security agencies among measures being used to improve election administration.
INEC is also working with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) through the Continuous Voter Registration Portal to verify and clean the voter register.
However, Gumus acknowledged that Nigeria’s size and complexity present major technological, logistical and political challenges.
INEC requested AU support in digital training for election staff, e-learning, ICT simulations and election-monitoring systems.
The commission also wants assistance in combating disinformation and detecting AI-generated deepfakes during the election period.
INEC Seeks Wider Inclusion
INEC called for stronger support for gender-mainstreaming and the inclusion of women, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons and other underrepresented groups.
Gumus assured the AU delegation that INEC would continue consultations with political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies, the media and development partners.
She reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to independence, neutrality and professionalism.
According to INEC, the 2027 election must reflect the will of Nigerian voters and meet democratic standards.
The AU assessment comes as preparations gather pace for an election involving nearly 100 million voters, 176,846 polling units and more than 1.4 million personnel.
The commission said AU support could help strengthen electoral technology, staff training, inclusion, monitoring and efforts to tackle digital misinformation ahead of the polls.
