Reps Summon INEC Chairman Over 2027 Polls

Reps Summon INEC Chairman Over 2027 Election Readiness

The House of Representatives has summoned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to explain the commission’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

Lawmakers directed Amupitan to appear before the House Committee on Electoral Matters within seven legislative days to address concerns over voter registration, election technology, security, logistics and funding.

The decision followed a motion presented during Wednesday’s plenary on October 28, 2026.

The development comes amid growing concerns over suspicious photographs and questionable entries discovered in INEC’s preliminary voters’ register.

Why Reps Summoned INEC Chairman

According to a report by Voice of Nigeria⁠, the House of Representatives invited INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan to brief lawmakers on preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The motion was jointly sponsored by House Minority Whip Mansur Manu Soro, representing Bauchi State, and Deputy Minority Leader Abdussamad Dasuki, representing Sokoto State.

The lawmakers argued that credible elections would depend on INEC’s ability to address operational challenges before voting begins.

Soro raised concerns about difficulties experienced at some Continuous Voter Registration centres, including inadequate equipment, personnel shortages, network disruptions and long waiting times.

He warned that these challenges could prevent eligible Nigerians from registering to vote.

The lawmakers also cited lessons from recent governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

Reps Demand Answers on BVAS, PVCs and Election Security

The House wants INEC to provide detailed information about its preparations for the 2027 elections.

The briefing is expected to cover the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), Permanent Voter Card production and distribution, and the training of electoral personnel.

Lawmakers also want updates on election funding, logistical arrangements and security plans.

Dasuki expressed concern that insecurity in some communities could prevent voters from participating in the elections.

He urged INEC to explain how it intends to conduct voting in areas affected by security challenges.

Nigerians Raise Alarm Over Child Photos in Voters’ Register

The invitation comes as INEC faces public scrutiny over questionable photographs appearing in its preliminary voters’ register.

Social media users circulated screenshots of voter records showing photographs that appeared to depict children, despite the records indicating birth years such as 1992.

Some commentators questioned whether the images were genuine photographs, incorrectly matched records or artificially generated pictures.

The screenshots generated concerns about the accuracy of voter information ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, the images circulating online do not independently establish that children were registered to vote or that electoral fraud occurred.

INEC has acknowledged the concerns and launched an investigation into the suspicious entries.

INEC Says Preliminary Register Is Not Final

In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, INEC clarified that the register published on its website was a preliminary document undergoing verification.

Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, explained that the online register published on October 26 matched the version displayed physically across Registration Areas between October 9 and 15.

According to Haruna, some questionable entries had already been identified during the physical display and flagged for further examination.

He said the commission was investigating the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural problems.

INEC maintained that the preliminary register was intended to allow citizens to identify inaccuracies and submit objections before final certification.

The commission is expected to certify the final voters’ register on December 15, 2026.

Calls Grow for Independent Review of Voter Records

The controversy has prompted calls for greater transparency in the management of Nigeria’s electoral database.

Political stakeholders and civil society organisations have urged INEC to thoroughly investigate the questionable entries and explain how they appeared in the register.

Concerns have also been raised about the possibility of incorrect voter information undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

However, INEC has not concluded its investigation, and the origin of the suspicious photographs remains unconfirmed.

Why INEC Chairman Will Brief a House Committee

The original motion proposed that Amupitan should appear before the entire House of Representatives.

However, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu opposed the proposal, arguing that the Committee on Electoral Matters should carry out the oversight responsibility.

Kalu noted that INEC had previously provided public updates about its preparations.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas subsequently supported the committee-level briefing.

The House adopted the amendment, allowing interested lawmakers to participate in the committee’s engagement with the INEC chairman.

When Will Nigeria Hold the 2027 Elections?

INEC has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027.

Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

The timetable was revised following changes introduced under the Electoral Act 2026.

As the elections approach, attention will focus on INEC’s ability to resolve voter registration concerns, deploy reliable election technology and ensure adequate security across polling locations.

What Happens Next?

INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan is expected to brief lawmakers within seven legislative days of the House resolution.

The committee will examine the commission’s readiness, including its funding, technology, voter registration and security arrangements.

Separately, INEC is expected to continue investigating suspicious entries in its preliminary voters’ register.

The outcome of both processes could influence public confidence in the commission’s preparations for the 2027 elections.