Ahead of the 2027 general election, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has urged staff of the Commission to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, transparency and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
Amupitan gave the charge during a visit to the Commission’s state office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The visit came on the sidelines of a technical workshop held in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, where the Commission convened a retreat to review key aspects of electoral administration.
Addressing staff after inspecting some voter registration centres in Ikot Ekpene, the INEC Chairman said the credibility of future elections would depend largely on the level of preparation and commitment demonstrated by the Commission’s personnel.
“Nigerians expect the Commission to deliver credible, free and fair elections,” he said. “That expectation places a responsibility on every member of staff to uphold professionalism, transparency and integrity at all times.”
According to him, the Commission has already begun preparations for the 2027 general election through internal reviews, technical engagements and operational improvements aimed at strengthening the electoral process.
“If you want to predict the future, you create it,” he said. “What we are doing now, including this retreat, is to begin to create what the 2027 election should look like.”
Amupitan also highlighted the importance of maintaining 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.
He said the Commission would continue to collaborate with key national data institutions, including the National Population Commission and the National Identity Management Commission, to improve the accuracy of population data and ensure that only eligible citizens are captured on the voter register.
The INEC Chairman further assured staff that the Commission remains committed to improving their welfare and career development. He disclosed that plans were underway to establish a specialised professional cadre for INEC personnel to better recognise the technical nature of election management.
He also congratulated staff recently promoted during the Commission’s latest promotion exercise and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to enhancing staff working conditions and retirement benefits.
On election technology, Amupitan urged staff to ensure that all electoral innovations introduced by the Commission, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, remain fully operational and ready for deployment ahead of future elections.
He noted that the credibility of elections and public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy depend largely on the diligence and commitment of the Commission’s workforce.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Obo Effanga, said the Chairman’s visit provided an opportunity for direct engagement with staff 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 observe firsthand the work being done by staff in the state.
The INEC Chairman was accompanied on the visit by some National Commissioners and Technical aides.