2027: NHRC, APC back independent election results verification platform

Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Federal High Court have endorsed a civil society initiative to bolster transparency in the upcoming 2027 general elections. The initiative centers on an independent election results verification platform.

During a stakeholders' meeting in Abuja, the National Electoral Accountability Consortium and the Independent Election Results Platform were launched. This platform, a product of the TAP Initiative and its partners, empowers citizens to upload and verify polling unit results directly. The goal is to increase transparency, prevent manipulation, and build public trust in the electoral system.

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As we all know, the National Human Rights Commission normally conducts election monitoring to ensure that the rights of people are protected during elections. I encourage all stakeholders to foster constructive dialogue, embrace innovation and work collectively towards deepening electoral integrity and democratic governance in Nigeria.

Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the NHRC, emphasized that credible elections are fundamental to protecting citizens' civil and political rights. He commended the platform as an innovation that can strengthen Nigerian democracy through transparency, accountability, and public participation. The commission pledged to collaborate with stakeholders to promote free, fair, and inclusive elections, safeguarding citizens' right to participate in governance without intimidation.

Tamara Preye, Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation) of the Federal High Court, noted that initiatives enhancing electoral confidence could significantly reduce the volume of election-related cases reaching the courts. She highlighted that the judiciary is already managing numerous pre-election disputes ahead of the 2027 polls. The National Chairman of the APC also backed the initiative, affirming the party's support for measures promoting electoral transparency and credibility. He stressed the importance of violence-free polls for Nigeria's democratic stability.

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You know what the judiciary is; usually that’s where people head to air their grievances, and you can imagine the number of cases that we already have in the court now from pre-election. Initiatives like this, I believe, will probably help reduce some.