On Saturday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the legislative by‑elections held in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states were “crucial operational tests” ahead of the 2027 General Election. The statement came from INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, who was monitoring the polls from the Commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja.
The by‑elections were held in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State, the Dawakin Kudu State Constituency of Kano State, the Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies of Bauchi State, and the Udu State Constituency of Delta State. These contests were used to evaluate the Commission’s logistics, technology and administrative readiness for the nationwide vote.
“These four bye‑elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the Commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 General Election,” Amupitan said. “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 highlighted the role of the Situation Room in monitoring reports from the various states. “Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution,” he said. “Whatever administrative or field challenges arose before the day of the elections, the Commission was able to nip them in the bud effectively.”
The chairman also praised the technical team and other officials in the Situation Room for their work in assessing field performance during the multi‑state elections. “We remain committed to refining our processes so that every subsequent exercise reflects higher standards of efficiency and public confidence,” he added.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
