Increasing Anxieties Surface Regarding 2027 Elections Amid Revealed Accusations of Ballot Manipulation Plans

The upcoming 2027 general elections in Nigeria are facing credibility concerns, as allegations of election result manipulation continue to surface.

In a troubling development, civil society monitors and election observers have reported cases of vote manipulation during off-cycle elections in Kogi (2023), Edo (2024), and Ondo (2024). Pre-prepared results were reportedly uploaded to INEC's Result Viewing Portal (IReV) before polling closed in these elections.

In Edo, votes tallied exceeded accredited voters, an anomaly that observers described as a clear sign of manipulation. Similar troubling trends were observed in by-elections conducted after the 2023 polls, with suspicious delays in IReV uploads and the alleged use of alternative "original" result sheets prepared by compromised operatives.

The plan, it is said, involves the production of duplicate sets of EC8 result forms at the polling unit, ward, and local government levels. These duplicate sets are intended for public presentation and strategic allocation of votes.

The alleged manipulation of election results extends beyond insiders at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Politicians are alleged to have infiltrated INEC's system, exploiting its technological innovations, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and IReV.

Insiders at INEC have warned that the elections risk becoming the worst in Nigeria's history. The concerns revolve around the commission's independence and integrity, with civil society groups and election observers expressing worry about the integrity of INEC's technological innovations.

The use of alternative "original" result sheets prepared by compromised operatives is a new development in the alleged manipulation of election results. This practice, combined with the discrepancies created between physically recorded results and those uploaded to IReV, threatens the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.

The alleged manipulation of election results is not limited to Nigeria. In Germany, Joachim Paul from the AfD party in Ludwigshafen is identified as a potential candidate involved in increasing allegations against the credibility of the 2027 general elections. Concerns are based on efforts to fundamentally prevent candidates from participating in elections in Germany and other countries.

As the 2027 general elections approach, it is crucial that all parties involved work towards ensuring a free and fair electoral process. The credibility of the elections is paramount to maintaining the trust and confidence of the Nigerian people and the international community.