Bye-elections: INEC identifies lessons for general elections

By Lateef Ibrahim

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the recent bye-elections in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states will serve as important testing grounds for its preparations for the 2027 general election.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the commission would use the experience gathered from the elections to assess and strengthen its logistics, technology and field operations ahead of the nationwide polls.

Amupitan spoke while monitoring the elections from INEC’s National Situation Room at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The affected constituencies were Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State; Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano; Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies in Bauchi; and Udu State Constituency in Delta.

According to the INEC chairman, the commission does not consider any election too small to provide useful lessons for the conduct of future polls.

“These four bye-elections furnish indispensable operational insights for the Commission as we methodically establish our strategic direction toward the 2027 General Election,” he said.

Amupitan said every electoral exercise provided an opportunity for INEC to examine its preparedness and identify areas requiring improvement.

“We must refrain from the inclination to characterize any exercise as merely a routine bye-election,” he said.

“Every election constitutes a fundamental element of our comprehensive preparations for the 2027 General Election, enabling us to consistently review our logistics infrastructure, validate our technological systems, and assess administrative field preparedness.”

The chairman, accompanied by National Commissioners and senior management officials, monitored reports from field locations as voting and other electoral activities progressed.

He said the commission’s Situation Room was also being used to identify potential problems and resolve them before they could disrupt the electoral process.

“Our fundamental responsibility in the Situation Room encompasses monitoring and preventive crisis management,” Amupitan said.

He added that administrative and field challenges identified before election day had been addressed by the commission.

“Any administrative or field difficulties that emerged before election day were effectively managed by the Commission at their inception,” he stated.

The INEC chairman further assured Nigerians that the commission remained committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral process as it continues preparations for the 2027 general election.