CIFCFIN Urges Public Stress Test of INEC's Tech Before 2027 Elections

The Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) is asking all Nigerians, including the Nigeria Bar Association and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), to push for a public stress test of INEC’s technology. They want this test to be tracked forensically and done no later than six months before the 2027 elections. The results should be shown live to the public.

CIFCFIN’s Founder and Chairman, Iliyasu Gashinbaki, made this call during the Democracy Day event in Abuja on Friday. He also suggested that academic certificates, birth records, and tax clearance certificates of political candidates should be checked forensically before ballot papers are printed for the elections.

He assured everyone that the Institute is ready to help verify the authenticity of these documents. He believes forensic analysts should be included in INEC’s results collation system to catch any manipulations as they happen.

Gashinbaki said, "Forensic deep fake detection experts must be engaged to counter AI-generated disinformation designed to mislead voters as well as the courts. Forensic evidence is the only language a captured judiciary cannot easily ignore." This highlights the need for solid evidence in the face of claims against the current political class.

He described accusations of major rigging in the recent political primaries, attempts to create a one-party state, and efforts to manipulate the judiciary and INEC as serious issues. According to him, these accusations are signs of democratic decay that could lead to a failed state if they are not addressed before the 2027 elections.

To maintain integrity, he demands that INEC must ensure real-time electronic transmission of results. He also wants a publicly forensically audited voters register made available 90 days before voting. He called for an investigation by the National Judicial Council into judges who give conflicting ex-parte orders. He wants a fair environment for all 18 political parties, free from any perceived manipulation.

Gashinbaki stressed that without addressing these issues, the 2027 elections will not seem credible. He pointed out problems in the 2026 Electoral Act, especially parts that allow manual tampering of results and delays in electronic transmission. He urged the National Assembly to repeal these clauses quickly. He also called on the NJC to speed up investigations of judges suspected of political bias.