By Myke Uzendu
As preparations for the 2027 general elections begin to take shape, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has urged staff of the electoral body to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, transparency and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
Amupitan gave the charge on Friday during a visit to the Commission’s state office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he interacted with staff and inspected some voter registration centres in Ikot Ekpene, according to a statement by INEC Media Team led by Victoria Eta-Messi.
The visit coincided with a technical workshop organised by the Commission in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area to review key aspects of electoral administration as part of early preparations for the 2027 polls.
Addressing staff during the visit, the INEC chairman reminded them that Nigerians place enormous expectations on the Commission to deliver credible elections.
“Nigerians expect the Commission to deliver credible, free and fair elections,” Amupitan said. “That expectation places a responsibility on every member of staff to uphold professionalism, transparency and integrity at all times.”
He explained that the Commission had already commenced internal reviews and technical engagements aimed at strengthening the electoral process ahead of the next general election.
“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 stressed 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 from the database.
According to him, the Commission would continue to collaborate with relevant national data agencies, 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 in the voter register.
The INEC chairman further assured staff that the Commission remained committed to improving their welfare and career 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.
Amupitan also congratulated staff who were recently promoted during the Commission’s latest promotion exercise and reiterated INEC’s commitment to improving working conditions as well as retirement benefits for its workforce.
Speaking on election technology, the chairman 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 in future elections.
He reminded them that the credibility of elections and public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy largely depend on the dedication and professionalism of the Commission’s personnel.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Obo Effanga, said the chairman’s visit provided an 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 INEC chairman to interact with personnel and observe firsthand the work being done by staff in the state.
Amupitan was accompanied on the visit by national commissioners, including May Agbamuche-Mbu, Rhoda Gumus and A. T. Yusuf, alongside the Resident Electoral Commissioner and other technical aides.
