By Nkechi Eze
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the bye-elections conducted in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states have provided important operational lessons for its preparations for the 2027 General Election.
According to an official statement signed by Adedayo Oketola, CPS/Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, stated this on Saturday while monitoring the elections from the Commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja.
The Commission conducted legislative bye-elections in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency of Kano State, Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies of Bauchi State, and Udu State Constituency of Delta State.
Amupitan said the elections provided an opportunity for the Commission to assess its logistics framework, technological deployment and administrative readiness ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“These four bye-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the Commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 General Election,” he said.
The INEC Chairman said every electoral exercise should be treated as an opportunity to identify gaps and strengthen the Commission’s processes, rather than as a routine exercise.
“We must resist the temptation to view any exercise as merely an ordinary bye-election. Every election is a critical component of our broader preparations for the 2027 General Election, allowing us to continuously audit our logistics framework, stress-test our technological deployment, and evaluate administrative field readiness,” Amupitan said.
The Chairman, accompanied by National Commissioners and senior management officials, monitored operational reports from the field as the elections progressed.
He said administrative and field challenges identified before polling were promptly addressed through the Commission’s monitoring and crisis-resolution mechanisms.
“Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution,” Amupitan said.
He added that INEC would continue refining its processes to ensure that subsequent electoral exercises reflect higher standards of efficiency and public confidence.
Amupitan commended the National Commissioners, senior management officials and technical team for ensuring effective monitoring of the multi-state exercise and assessing the Commission’s field performance.
