Nigerian protesters have confronted Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), outside Chatham House in London, demanding answers over alleged irregularities in the country’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.   The protesters accosted Amupitan on Thursday as he left the British think tank after participating in a panel discussion titled ‘Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Democratic Trajectory and Regional Stability Beyond the Ballot’. According to a report by TheCable, the demonstrators surrounded the black vehicle conveying the INEC chairman and demanded that he address their concerns about alleged irregularities in Nigeria’s voter register. Videos circulating on social media showed protesters holding placards, recording the encounter and chanting at the electoral chief. “Why are you running? Come out and talk to us,” some of the protesters shouted. Another demonstrator was heard calling for the police to be contacted, insisting that Amupitan should come out and address their concerns. One of the placards displayed during the confrontation read: “Amupitan, no more election fraud”. However, the INEC chairman remained inside his vehicle and did not give an audible response to the protesters. INEC Under Scrutiny Over Voter Register The confrontation comes amid growing scrutiny of INEC following concerns raised last month over suspected AI-generated photographs appearing in the commission’s preliminary voter register. INEC subsequently said it had traced the photographs to alleged misconduct by some registration officers who had access to its registration portal. The controversy raised further questions about the integrity of the electoral register ahead of the 2027 general elections. Amupitan Addresses Concerns Over 2023 Elections During his Chatham House appearance, Amupitan acknowledged that glitches experienced during the transmission of results in the 2023 general elections had eroded public confidence in the commission. He, however, said INEC had taken steps to ensure the smooth and efficient conduct of the 2027 elections. The protesters’ confrontation highlights continuing concerns over electoral transparency and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.