The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that every valid vote will count in the 2027 general elections, reaffirming its commitment to conducting transparent, credible and technology-driven polls.
The assurance was given on Wednesday by Magdalyn Aku, INEC’s Assistant Director of Voter Education and Planning, during the 2026 News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Democracy Roundtable held in Abuja.
According to Aku, ensuring that every vote counts is a core responsibility of the electoral body and not just a slogan.
“For INEC, making your vote count is not just a slogan; it is the bedrock of our democracy, and we always try to ensure that we put in the right processes and the right tools to ensure that every individual’s vote counts,” she said.
She stressed that INEC remains neutral and is only interested in protecting the rights of voters rather than determining who wins or loses elections.
“Our focus is on the Nigerian voter. We do not care about the person who wins or loses the election; it is on the Nigerian voter. You are the kingmaker,” Aku added.
She explained that the commission has continued to improve its electoral process over the years, pointing to the transition from the Smart Card Reader to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the use of the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) for electronic transmission of results.
According to her, election results are displayed at polling units before being uploaded to the IReV portal to promote transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
Aku also said INEC remains committed to conducting inclusive elections by ensuring that persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are not excluded from voting.
She urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and make good use of their voting rights.
“If your vote doesn’t matter, why does somebody want to buy it? And why do you want to sell your vote?” she asked.
Also speaking at the event, NUJ FCT Chairman, Grace Ike, said credible elections require the collective efforts of INEC, journalists, security agencies, civil society organisations and the electorate.
Legal practitioner Frank Tietie also urged INEC to protect its independence, insisting that election outcomes should be decided at polling units and not in courtrooms.
The NUJ FCT Council further announced plans to establish an Election Situation Room ahead of the 2027 general elections to monitor the electoral process, verify reports and support journalists covering the polls.
