Election 2027: INEC and UK seek stronger ties on election security and technology

Ahead of the 2027 elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for deeper collaboration with the UK in election security, technology, cybersecurity and voter education as it steps up preparations for the elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the appeal on Wednesday when he received the outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Amupitan described the UK as a long-standing partner in Nigeria’s democratic journey, saying the relationship has evolved beyond election observation and technical assistance into broader institutional support for strengthening democratic governance.

The INEC President identified key areas where Nigeria and the United Kingdom could deepen cooperation, including electoral technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, countering misinformation and disinformation, crisis communication, conflict prevention, civic education and the inclusion of women, youth and persons with disabilities in the electoral process.

He said the commission is also interested in knowledge exchange programs and specialized training for election officials.

“We value our partnership with the United Kingdom and look forward to strengthening cooperation in areas such as election technology, cybersecurity, voter education and countering disinformation as we prepare for the 2027 general elections,” Amupitan said.

He said the commission has made significant progress in preparing for the 2027 elections despite a compressed election calendar, including the rollout of advanced technologies, improved cybersecurity architecture and expanded voter registration.

Amupitan said INEC recently extended the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks to enable more eligible Nigerians to register before the legal deadline.

“We have decided to extend registration to ensure that those who have not had the opportunity to register are not excluded. At the same time, we must comply with the legal deadlines for publishing the voter register before the elections,” he said.

The INEC Chairman said the commission has introduced additional digital services that allow eligible voters to begin registration online before completing the process physically at designated centres.

He added that the commission has strengthened its technology infrastructure through upgrades to its voter accreditation and results management systems, while conducting extensive cybersecurity assessments, including penetration testing, disaster recovery planning and software resilience reviews.

According to the commission chairperson, INEC is working closely with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Electoral Security (ICCES) to protect election staff, infrastructure and voters.

He noted that regular consultations are also taking place with political parties, civil society organizations and the media to promote peaceful and credible elections.

Earlier, the British High Commissioner, Montgomery, had reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic institutions, describing the relationship between the two countries as a strategic partnership.

He said his team has been engaging with INEC to better understand the commission’s preparations for the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general elections.

“We see ourselves as partners in Nigeria’s democratic journey. We have a strong interest in supporting the country’s democratic process and hope that our engagement will be seen as a sign of both moral support and practical cooperation,” he said.

The envoy noted that the UK and Nigeria have strengthened bilateral relations in recent years through increased cooperation in trade, security, migration, justice and governance.

Montgomery revealed that he will complete his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria in approximately six weeks, expressing confidence that his successor will continue to build a productive relationship with INEC as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.