INEC to Nigerians: Your votes’ll count in 2027, we don’t care who wins election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that every vote will count in the 2027 general election, saying the commission is committed to consolidating the nation’s democratic governance.

INEC Deputy Director of Voter Education and Planning, Magdalene Aku, gave the assurance in Abuja on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

Aku said that making Nigerians’ votes count was not just a slogan, but a commitment to ensure the electorate’s choices reflected in election outcomes.

Aku described voters as the “ultimate kingmakers” in a constitutional democracy, adding that that the commission’s primary mandate centred on protecting the will of the electorate rather than monitoring political outcomes.

She said: “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, the right tools to ensure that every individual’s vote counts.

“Our focus is on the Nigerian voters. We do not care about the person who wins or loses the election; it is on the Nigerian voter, and that’s why we’re always placing premium on the voter to recognise the fact that you are the kingmaker.”

The INEC official highlighted the commission’s progressive adoption of technology to eliminate electoral frauds, citing the transition from Smart Card Readers to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the real-time upload of results via the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal among efforts of the electoral umpire.

Aku said transparency was guaranteed right from the grassroots level, as polling unit results recorded on Form EC8A popularly referred to as the people’s result being posted on walls at polling stations for public view before electronic transmission.

Aku added: “We’ll continue to improve on our processes and continue to ensure that everybody’s vote counts.

“In ensuring that everyone’s vote counts, that is why we improve on technology; transmission of results to the IReV in real time, so people can see the results as it comes.”

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Aku urged Nigerians to recognise both their constitutional rights and civic responsibilities, stressing that voter and civic education were key to a thriving democracy.

She, however, cautioned citizens against selling their votes, describing the voter’s card as a fundamental tool for shaping the country’s future.

The INEC official said: “If your vote doesn’t matter, why does somebody want to buy it? And why do you want to sell your vote?

“You have to think about your future as well and that’s why we put our voter education messages so people will understand the power that they wield with the voter’s card. Your vote is your voice. Do not sit on the fence.”

Aku also called for collective action among all stakeholders, noting that while INEC serves as the electoral umpire, achieving seamless elections requires collective responsibilities from the public, media, and security agencies.

“As the umpire, INEC will regulate the process to ensure the secrecy of the vote and the credibility of the voter’s choice, but all hands must be on deck collectively to achieve free, fair, and credible elections,” she added.