By Nkechi Eze
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has charged staff of the Commission to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, transparency and integrity as preparations gradually intensify for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Amupitan gave the charge on Thursday during a visit to the Commission’s state office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, stressing that Nigerians expect nothing short of credible, free and fair elections from the electoral body.
The visit took place on the sidelines of a technical workshop organised by the Commission in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, where INEC officials gathered for a retreat to review key aspects of electoral administration ahead of the next election cycle.
Addressing staff after inspecting some voter registration centres in Ikot Ekpene, the INEC Chairman said the credibility of future elections would depend significantly on the quality of preparation and the commitment demonstrated by the Commission’s personnel.
“Nigerians expect the Commission to deliver credible, free and fair elections. That expectation places a responsibility on every member of staff to uphold professionalism, transparency and integrity at all times,” Amupitan said.
He explained that the Commission had already commenced foundational work for the 2027 polls through a series of internal reviews, technical engagements and operational reforms aimed at strengthening the electoral process.
“If you want to predict the future, you create it,” he added. “What we are doing now, including this retreat, is to begin to create what the 2027 election should look like.”
The INEC Chairman also underscored the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the voter register, noting that the ongoing Voter Revalidation Exercise was designed to eliminate duplicate registrations and remove the names of deceased persons from the register.
According to him, the Commission will continue to deepen collaboration with key national data institutions, including the National Population Commission and the National Identity Management Commission, to enhance the accuracy of population data and ensure that only eligible citizens are captured on the voter register.
Amupitan further assured staff that the Commission remained committed to improving their welfare and professional development. He disclosed that efforts were underway to establish a specialised professional cadre for INEC personnel in recognition of the technical nature of election management and the risks associated with the responsibility.
The Chairman also congratulated staff recently promoted during the Commission’s latest promotion exercise and reiterated INEC’s commitment to improving working conditions as well as retirement benefits for personnel.
On election technology, he urged staff to ensure that all electoral innovations introduced by the Commission, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), remain fully functional and ready for deployment ahead of future elections.
He emphasised that the credibility of elections, and ultimately public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy, rests heavily on the diligence and commitment of the Commission’s workforce.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Obo Effanga, said the Chairman’s visit provided a valuable opportunity for direct engagement with staff responsible for implementing the Commission’s mandate in the state.
Effanga noted that although the Commission was in Ikot Ekpene for a technical workshop, the visit to the state office in Uyo allowed the Chairman to interact with personnel and gain firsthand appreciation of the efforts of staff serving the people of Akwa Ibom State.
The INEC Chairman was accompanied on the visit by National Commissioners, May Agbamuche-Mbu, Rhoda Gumus and A. T. Yusuf, as well as technical aides to the Chairman.
