**INEC Sets to Test Election Infrastructure with Nationwide Mock Poll** In a bid to ensure the smooth conduct of the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to conduct a nationwide mock presidential election. This exercise is aimed at testing the commission's result-transmission infrastructure to prevent a repeat of technical setbacks experienced in previous polls. According to INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, the commission is determined to deliver the best election in Nigeria's history. He expressed this commitment at a Citizens' Townhall on the Electoral Act 2026 in Abuja, where he also disclosed the revised timetable for the 2027 general elections. The Presidential and National Assembly elections have been rescheduled for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027. The planned mock election is a crucial step in ensuring that INEC's infrastructure is thoroughly tested before the polls. As Amupitan explained, election technology is now a critical aspect of the electoral process, and it is essential to test it thoroughly before deployment. The commission's experience with technical glitches during the 2023 presidential election highlighted the need for such a test. The mock election will provide an opportunity for INEC to assess its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and ensure that it can transmit results across the states without any hitches. The commission's confidence in its ability to prevent a repeat of past technical setbacks is evident in Amupitan's statement that "the glitch is eliminated; by God's grace, it will not surface in Nigeria." INEC's commitment to credible polls in 2027 is also underscored by the clarification that the legal provisions allowing alternative collation methods are designed as safeguards. The commission is determined to ensure that results are transmitted without any failure, and citizens can rest assured that INEC is working tirelessly to deliver a smooth and credible election process in 2027. As Nigeria looks forward to the 2027 general elections, INEC's efforts to test its infrastructure and prevent technical setbacks are a welcome development. The mock election will provide valuable insights into the commission's preparedness and enable it to address any issues that may arise during the polls.