2027: Free, fair polls non-negotiable, Amupitan tells INEC staff

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has urged staff of the commission to prepare for the responsibility of delivering a free, fair and credible election in 2027, describing it as essential to rebuilding public trust in the electoral body.

 

Amupitan said the commission was determined to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process and restore confidence in the electoral system ahead of the next general elections.

 

He stated this on Friday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while addressing INEC staff at the state secretariat after inspecting the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in some local government areas.

 

According to him, the commission will collaborate with the National Population Commission and other relevant agencies to track Nigerians who have reached voting age and encourage them to register.

 

“As we build up to 2027, I want to announce that we are in it together to serve Nigeria and strengthen democracy. Though INEC is already having a trust deficit, whatever we are doing in Abuja, we have to cascade it here.

 

“We should work hard to restore trust. We know state congresses are ongoing and some of you are part of it — please, any activity you are handling, do it with honesty and utmost courtesy.

 

“What you are doing today will determine the 2027 elections. What we owe Nigerians is free, fair and credible elections; let their expectations be met. We want Nigerians to begin to believe in INEC again, that whoever emerges is the will of the people,” he said.

 

Amupitan also disclosed that the commission would carry out a voter revalidation exercise to ensure the accuracy of the voter register, including the removal of deceased persons and other ineligible names.

 

“The register should be sanitised,” he added.

 

The INEC chairman also urged all staff members to actively promote the ongoing voter registration exercise, noting that voter mobilisation should not be left solely to the Voter Education and Publicity Department.

 

“Encourage and galvanise Nigerians to come out while assuring them that their votes will count,” he said.

 

Responding, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Barrister Obo Effanga, thanked the chairman for visiting the registration centres and interacting with staff, assuring him of the commission’s readiness to deliver credible elections.

 

During the visit, Amupitan inspected CVR registration centres in Ikot Ekpene and Uyo, where he received complaints about network challenges and login difficulties. He assured staff that the issues would be addressed.

 

He also expressed satisfaction with the turnout of young people for the exercise and called for increased voter education across the state.