The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has rated its level of preparedness for the 2027 general elections in Ogun State as excellent, saying it is reviewing previous elections while strengthening its technology, logistics, facilities and operational systems ahead of the polls.
The Ogun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi, stated this on Thursday while featuring on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu.
The programme examined preparations for the 2027 elections, with discussions covering electoral technology, voter confidence, election logistics, security, political party activities and public participation.
Saseyi said INEC had continued to review previous elections to identify areas requiring improvement, noting that lessons from the 2023 general election and the Osun State election would form part of the commission's preparations for 2027.
She said the commission was implementing directives from its national headquarters and remained committed to conducting free, fair and credible elections.
“Today in Ogun State, the level of preparedness I can rate it as excellent. I want to assure you that the Commission at all times is committed to free, fair and credible elections to gain the trust and confidence of citizens and there are many activities that we have embarked upon in Lagos and Ogun State and we have made our input,” she said.
According to the REC, the commission's approach was not to assume that previous electoral procedures were perfect, but to continuously examine reports and identify areas where improvements could be made.
“INEC has improved and would continue to improve,” Saseyi said, explaining that reports from previous elections were routinely reviewed as part of the process of strengthening the electoral system.
Technology, BVAS and IReV
On electoral technology, Saseyi said INEC had updated its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, while steps were also being taken to improve the INEC Results Viewing Portal, IReV, ahead of the 2027 elections.
She said the commission recognised the importance of technology to the electoral process but also acknowledged that the effectiveness of some digital systems could depend on network availability.
“We are trusting God that as we have updated our equipment, the BVAS has been updated. The IReV will also be updated, if not updated by now,” she said.
Saseyi said the commission was also making arrangements to respond to technical problems that could occur during election operations, stressing that INEC had backup systems and trained personnel.
“When we bring our equipment out, we have a backup,” she said.
She explained that the commission had trained technical personnel known as RAPEX, who would be available to intervene when electoral equipment developed faults during operations.
“We call them RAPEX. They are technicians who have been well trained on how to put those equipments in order,” she said.
The REC's comments followed a suggestion by a caller from Ijebu-Ode that INEC should make greater use of technology to monitor election activities and improve transparency.
The caller proposed the use of body cameras for election officials, cameras at polling units and CCTV cameras at collation centres, particularly from the ward to the local government level.
The caller also suggested that political party agents should be allowed to use appropriate cameras during the electoral process and that other technologies could be deployed to monitor activities around polling locations.
“With this, our votes will be monitored and protected. They should also install CCTV cameras to all their collation centers, from ward to local government. With all of these, I believe that we can have a transparent election and the massive rigging method will reduce to minimal level,” the caller said.
Logistics and Protection of Election Materials
Saseyi also linked technological preparedness with the physical infrastructure required to conduct elections, disclosing that some INEC facilities had been repaired and renovated ahead of the elections.
She said the repairs were necessary not only to improve the working environment for staff but also to protect sensitive and non-sensitive election materials from damage.
“Also presently in Lagos State some of our facilities have been repaired. Some equipments have been repaired. Some leaking roofs and other local governments have been renovated so that it will make easy batching of our materials,” she said.
The REC added that the commission did not want election materials exposed to avoidable damage, particularly during the rainy season.
“We don't want rain to damage some of our materials. So we are doing a renovation presently to allow a conducive atmosphere for the elections and to also allow our staff to have a conducive place to work,” she said.
On the publication of candidates for the 2027 elections, Saseyi disclosed that INEC had already pasted the list of candidates but explained that the list could be updated where lawful substitutions were approved.
She said the law permitted substitution in specific circumstances, including the death or withdrawal of a candidate within the period allowed by law.
“Presently we have pasted the list of candidates that will contest and you know the law allows for substitution and then there are recent court cases that have allowed for political parties to substitute,” she said.
“By the time the headquarters send names of those who have been replaced or substituted, those names will be pasted and then updated.”
Saseyi further explained that INEC would only publish substitutions that met the legal requirements.
“Substitution is allowed when candidates unfortunately die or candidates withdraw within the law. There is allowance for replacement and if we receive such substitution within the law, they will be published,” she said.
Early Security Deployment and Election Materials
The REC also stressed the importance of early security deployment to the success of election-day logistics, particularly the movement of materials and the protection of ad-hoc officials.
She said INEC could not directly control the operations of another organisation but had continued to engage the police through the inter-agency framework to encourage early deployment.
“On two occasions, I've met the police. And I begged them because, you know, I can't control another organisation. But in the spirit of interagency collaboration, I told them that when you're having a parade, please don't do parade on election day,” she said.
According to her, early deployment of police personnel would provide security for election officials staying at Registration Area Centres before their deployment to polling units.
She said delays in the deployment of security personnel could affect the movement of election materials and the ability of officials to reach polling locations on time.
“If police came early, materials would be deployed on time,” she said.
Saseyi said the commission would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to address logistical and operational challenges before election day.
She maintained that INEC's preparations were ongoing and that the commission would continue to review its systems, improve its equipment and strengthen coordination with relevant agencies as the 2027 elections approach.
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