INEC Assures 2027 Elections Will Count Every Vote, Rejects PVC Stockpiling Tactics

INEC assures 2027 elections will reflect the will of Nigerians, the electoral body has pledged, insisting that every valid vote will count during the next general election. The assurance came during a seminar organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin.

Speaking at the event, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity for INEC in Kwara State, Dr Adejumo Peter, said the commission would strictly enforce its rules to deliver free, fair and credible elections.

He stressed that the commission remained committed to the principle of one person, one vote. According to him, election results will accurately reflect the choice of voters.

Furthermore, Dr Peter dismissed claims that collecting or hoarding Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) could influence election outcomes. He said technological improvements now prevent anyone from using another person’s PVC to vote.

He argued that politicians who still rely on stockpiling PVCs were living in the past. Instead, he said, some had shifted to vote-buying because the old tactics no longer work.

Meanwhile, the INEC official urged political parties and candidates to avoid violence before, during and after the polls. Rather, he encouraged them to campaign on policies and manifestoes that allow voters to make informed decisions.

In addition, he called on all political actors to respect the outcome of peaceful elections.

Also speaking, the Head of INEC’s Legal Unit in Kwara State, Atata Abdulfatai, described the amended Electoral Act 2026 as a major reform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the law strengthens transparency, promotes internal democracy within political parties and expands the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.

As preparations continue, INEC assures 2027 elections will be transparent and credible. The commission says its focus remains on protecting the integrity of the ballot and ensuring that the people’s votes determine the outcome.