The Independent National Electoral Commission has assured Nigerians that every valid vote will count in the 2027 general elections, reaffirming its commitment to conducting credible, transparent and inclusive elections.
The Deputy Director of Voter Education and Planning at INEC, Mrs. Magdalene Aku, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja during a democracy roundtable organised by the News Agency of Nigeria Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
Speaking on the theme, “Making Nigeria’s Vote Count in 2027: The Role of INEC,” Aku said ensuring that votes count was more than a campaign slogan, describing it as the foundation of the commission’s efforts to strengthen democratic governance.
She stressed that INEC’s primary responsibility was to protect the will of the electorate, noting that the commission remained neutral regarding election outcomes.
“For INEC, making your vote count is not just a slogan; it is the bedrock of our democracy. We continue to put in place the right processes and deploy the right tools to ensure that every individual’s vote counts.
“Our focus is on the Nigerian voter. We are not concerned about who wins or loses the election. Our concern is to ensure that the Nigerian voter remains the kingmaker,” she said.
Aku said the commission had continued to leverage technology to improve electoral credibility and reduce opportunities for fraud.
According to her, INEC’s introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which replaced the Smart Card Reader, alongside the real-time upload of polling unit results through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, has significantly enhanced transparency in the electoral process.
She explained that election results are first recorded on Form EC8A and displayed publicly at polling units before being uploaded electronically, allowing voters to verify results independently.
“We will continue to improve our processes to ensure that everybody’s vote counts. Results are uploaded to the IReV in real time for public viewing, while copies of the polling unit results are first pasted at the polling units for everyone to see,” she said.
Aku added that INEC had also strengthened its result collation process by combining manual and electronic collation to improve accuracy and transparency.
On inclusivity, she said the commission remained committed to ensuring that no eligible voter was excluded from the electoral process, including persons living in difficult-to-access communities and vulnerable groups.
She said INEC’s inclusivity and gender policies were designed to guarantee equal participation for persons with disabilities, the visually impaired, persons with albinism and other marginalised groups.
“There are difficult terrains across the country, but INEC makes deliberate efforts to reach every community because we want everyone to participate. No one will be left behind,” she said.
Aku urged Nigerians to actively participate in elections and resist attempts to compromise the electoral process by selling their votes.
“If your vote does not matter, why would anyone want to buy it? Your Permanent Voter Card is a powerful instrument for determining the future of the country. Your vote is your voice, so do not sit on the fence,” she said.
She also called for greater collaboration among citizens, the media, security agencies and other stakeholders, stressing that the responsibility for credible elections extends beyond INEC.
According to her, while the commission will continue to safeguard the secrecy and integrity of the ballot, the success of the 2027 general elections will depend on the collective commitment of all stakeholders to transparency, accountability and respect for the democratic process.
