Centre LSD Calls for Transparency, Electoral Reforms and Verifiable Preparations Ahead of 2027 Elections
The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to demonstrate its readiness for the 2027 general elections through transparent processes, institutional accountability, and verifiable evidence rather than assurances alone.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, the Director of Strategy at Centre LSD, Dr Itia Otabor, emphasised the need for deliberate and coordinated actions to safeguard the credibility of Nigeria's electoral process.
The intervention comes ahead of the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for 16 January 2027 and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for 6 February 2027.
Working alongside ActionAid Nigeria, the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, MOTION and other partners, Centre LSD highlighted critical concerns relating to electoral technology, the integrity of the voters' register, election security, political financing, and public confidence in the electoral management process.
Moving Beyond Assurances to Verifiable Electoral Readiness
Centre LSD stressed that credible elections require more than public declarations of preparedness, noting that electoral integrity depends on effective planning, transparent procedures, reliable technology, and institutional accountability.
The organisation acknowledged INEC's ongoing preparations but called for regular public updates on election logistics, personnel recruitment and training, procurement, funding, and technology deployment.
It further urged the Commission to publish clear operational guidelines covering voter accreditation, voting procedures, electronic transmission of results, collation, and the declaration of election outcomes.
Centre LSD also called for independent technical audits of critical electoral technologies, with accessible summaries of the findings made available to the public.
According to the organisation, restoring public confidence requires consistent stakeholder engagement, impartial administration, and demonstrable compliance with established electoral procedures.
Strengthening Transparency in Electronic Transmission of Results
A central concern raised during the press conference was the need for greater clarity and transparency in the management and transmission of election results.
Drawing lessons from the controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections, Centre LSD emphasised that electoral technology must strengthen public confidence rather than introduce uncertainty into the process.
The organisation called on INEC to publish a comprehensive explanation of the results management framework in accordance with Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act 2026.
This explanation, it noted, should clearly establish the relationship between the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), polling unit result documentation, electronic transmission, publication on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), and subsequent collation processes.
Centre LSD further recommended transparent nationwide simulations of electoral technologies involving political parties, civil society organisations, technical experts, and media representatives.
Such exercises, the organisation explained, would provide opportunities to identify operational weaknesses, strengthen technical preparedness, and improve public understanding of the election results management process.
Raising Concerns Over the Integrity of the Voters' Register
Centre LSD also expressed concern about the accuracy and credibility of the national voters' register, describing it as a fundamental component of credible elections.
The organisation reported that searches conducted through INEC's public voter portal continued to return records associated with several deceased prominent Nigerians, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing data-cleaning procedures.
It further presented an estimate suggesting that between 12 million and 18 million entries in the register could belong to deceased persons. This figure was raised as a concern requiring verification rather than an independently established count.
Centre LSD warned that inaccuracies in the register could affect voter turnout calculations, electoral planning, resource allocation, and public confidence in election outcomes.
While acknowledging INEC's stated efforts to review and correct irregularities, the organisation called for a transparent and credible audit of the register.
It urged the Commission to investigate substantiated complaints involving duplicate, fictitious, deceased, or otherwise ineligible voter records, while providing accessible procedures for claims and objections.
Centre LSD also emphasised the importance of protecting citizens' personal information throughout the verification and data-cleaning process.
Promoting Inclusive Political Participation
Beyond electoral administration, Centre LSD highlighted the need to address barriers preventing women, young people, and persons with disabilities from participating meaningfully in political processes.
The organisation called on political parties to review discriminatory practices, reduce financial barriers to political participation, and adopt measures that expand opportunities for underrepresented groups.
It also urged INEC to strengthen accessible voting arrangements and provide voter education tailored to the needs of persons with disabilities.
Centre LSD maintained that credible elections must not only be transparent and technically reliable but also inclusive, ensuring that eligible citizens can participate without discrimination or unnecessary obstacles.
Introducing the Electoral Credibility Analysis Centre
As part of its commitment to strengthening electoral accountability, Centre LSD announced the activation of its Electoral Credibility Analysis Centre under the All Eyes on Electoral Credibility initiative.
The Centre will produce monthly assessments of electoral preparedness and integrity across the pre-election, election-day, and post-election phases.
These assessments will be guided by the THRIVE Index, a framework examining six critical dimensions of electoral credibility:
- T – Transparency
- H – Healthy Environment
- R – Reforms
- I – Inclusivity
- V – Voter and Political Education
- E – Equipment Functionality
Through this framework, Centre LSD aims to promote evidence-based monitoring, identify gaps in electoral preparedness, and contribute to informed public engagement on Nigeria's democratic processes.
The initiative is expected to provide a structured platform for assessing institutional readiness, monitoring electoral developments, and encouraging accountability throughout the electoral cycle.
Advancing Electoral Integrity and Democratic Accountability
Centre LSD reiterated that credible elections are essential to strengthening democratic institutions, protecting citizens' political rights, and promoting accountable governance.
The organisation called on INEC, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to fulfil their responsibilities in ensuring that the 2027 elections are conducted transparently, inclusively, and in accordance with the law.
It also emphasised that public confidence must be earned through transparent institutional conduct, timely disclosure of relevant information, and effective responses to legitimate electoral concerns.
Through the Electoral Credibility Analysis Centre and its continued engagement with electoral stakeholders, Centre LSD remains committed to advancing democratic accountability, citizen participation, and electoral integrity in Nigeria.
The organisation reaffirmed its position that every eligible citizen's vote must be protected and that credible electoral processes remain fundamental to strengthening Nigeria's democracy.
