The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that every valid vote cast in the 2027 general elections will count, reaffirming its commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections that truly reflect the will of the people. The assurance was given by the Head of Voter Education and Publicity in INEC Kwara State, Dr. Adejumo Peter, during a seminar organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin on Thursday.
Dr. Peter said the commission would strictly adhere to its established rules and procedures to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. According to him, the elections will be conducted on the principle of one person, one vote, with the final outcome reflecting the genuine choice of voters. He stressed that INEC remains committed to strengthening public confidence in the electoral system ahead of the 2027 polls.
Addressing concerns over the misuse of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), Peter dismissed claims that collecting or stockpiling voters’ cards could influence election results. He explained that technological advancements introduced by INEC have made it impossible for individuals to use another person’s PVC to vote. He noted that the shift by some politicians towards vote-buying is evidence that the era of manipulating elections through PVC collection has become ineffective.
The INEC official also urged political parties and candidates to embrace issue-based campaigns rather than violence and intimidation. He advised contestants to focus on presenting their manifestoes and development plans to the electorate, while encouraging all stakeholders to ensure peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections and to respect the outcome of the democratic process.
Also speaking at the seminar, the Head of INEC’s Legal Unit in Kwara State, Atata Abdulfatai, described the amended Electoral Act 2026 as a landmark reform that would further strengthen Nigeria’s democracy. He said the revised law introduces measures to enhance transparency, promote internal democracy within political parties and expand the use of technology in elections, all aimed at improving the credibility and efficiency of the 2027 general elections.
