The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, says the “era” of ballot box snatching and changing or rewriting election results is over ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to the reports, Amupitan presents INEC’s current legal and technological safeguards as the basis for protecting votes and preventing interference at polling and results stages.
In his remarks, Amupitan argues that election processes are now supported by technology strong enough to secure ballots and ensure that voters’ choices are reflected in final outcomes. He also stresses the need for public education, suggesting INEC should engage different groups—including rural voters, traders and youths—using clear communication to explain how the safeguards work and why elections are harder to manipulate.
Both outlets report the same core claim: INEC is warning against election malpractices that previously involved physical obstruction of ballot boxes and manual alteration of results, and it says these practices are no longer feasible under the strengthened framework being prepared for 2027.
