INEC: Gombe, Kano, Bauchi, Delta Bye-Elections Offer Lessons for 2027

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described the recent bye elections in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states as important operational benchmarks ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the polls provided the Commission with valuable lessons for assessing its electoral infrastructure, logistics, technology and administrative readiness.

Amupitan spoke on Saturday while personally supervising operations at the Commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja.

The elections covered the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State, Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies in Bauchi State, and Udu State Constituency in Delta State.

The INEC chairman said every election, regardless of its size or status, was an opportunity for the Commission to strengthen its preparations for the 2027 general elections.

He said the four bye-elections would provide “indispensable operational lessons” as INEC develops its roadmap towards the nationwide polls.

According to him, the exercises enabled the Commission to audit its logistics framework, test its technological systems and assess the readiness of its personnel in the field.

“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,” Amupitan said.

He explained that the Commission used the National Situation Room to monitor developments from the field and address emerging administrative and operational challenges.

The INEC chairman, who was accompanied by National Commissioners and senior management officials, said bottlenecks identified before the elections were swiftly addressed.

“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.”

Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to improving its processes, saying subsequent electoral exercises must reflect higher standards of efficiency and public confidence.

He also commended members of the Situation Room, particularly the technical team, for ensuring effective monitoring of the multi-state elections and enabling the Commission to assess field performance.

The INEC chairman said the experience gained from the bye-elections would contribute to the Commission’s continuing preparations for the 2027 General Election.