The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has described Saturday’s by-elections in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states as crucial operational benchmarks for testing the nation’s electoral infrastructure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mr Amupitan ‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌⁠⁠⁠‌‌stated this at the INEC headquarters in Abuja while presiding over operations at the commission’s national situation room for the by-elections.

Chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Adedayo Oketola, quoted Mr Amupitan as saying that no electoral contest should be dismissed as trivial or routine.

The legislative by-elections were held in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye federal constituency in Gombe State, Dawakin Kudu state constituency in Kano State, Sakwa and Disina state constituencies in Bauchi State and Udu state constituency in Delta State.

Mr Amupitan said every off-cycle poll served as an important dress rehearsal for nationwide elections.

“These four by-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 general election.

“We must resist the temptation to view any exercise as merely an ordinary by-election.

“Every election is a critical component of our broader preparations for the 2027 general elections, allowing us to continuously audit our logistics framework, stress-test our technological deployment and evaluate administrative field readiness,” he said.

Mr Amupitan reassured Nigerians of the commission’s resolve to uphold electoral integrity, noting that operational bottlenecks encountered before polling were swiftly identified and resolved.

“Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution.

“Whatever administrative or field challenges arose before the day of the elections, the commission was able to nip them in the bud effectively.

“We remain committed to refining our processes so that every subsequent exercise reflects higher standards of efficiency and public confidence,” he said.

Mr Amupitan thanked everyone present in the situation room, especially the technical team, for ensuring the commission could monitor the multi-state exercise seamlessly and assess field performance without a hitch.

The INEC chairman, alongside national commissioners and senior management officials, monitored the by-elections as operational reports arrived from the field.

(NAN)