The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has warned that partisan leaning, administrative negligence, and compromised ethics will not be tolerated among staff as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections. Amupitan gave the warning on Monday, 28 September 2026, in Kaduna while declaring open the North-West Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment for the 2027 General Election.
Amupitan told Electoral Officers, Heads of Departments, and senior administrative staff from the North-West zone that the Commission would strictly enforce its Code of Conduct. He emphasized that protecting INEC's institutional integrity is non-negotiable. The INEC Chairman noted that the conduct of field staff was central to the credibility of any election, and that false narratives gained traction when the Commission's administrative execution faltered.
According to Amupitan, the conduct, competence, and character of INEC staff in the field are either the Commission's strongest defence against fake news or its biggest catalyst. He reminded officials of the oath of loyalty and neutrality required of all electoral officials and security personnel participating in elections under Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2026. This oath commits every officer to administering elections without favouring any candidate or political party.
Amupitan cautioned staff against improvisation, saying informal shortcuts are dangerous in election administration. He stressed that where the law provides a procedure, whether in the Electoral Act 2026, Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2026, or guidelines for political parties, officers must follow it strictly. He directed that operational difficulties should be escalated through formal institutional channels.
The INEC Chairman emphasized that a good legal framework and modern technology cannot alone guarantee electoral credibility. He stated that the credibility of an election depends on how faithfully the law is implemented by officials entrusted with its administration. Amupitan described staff as the face of the Commission in their communities, saying that to the voter in a local ward, INEC is not the Chairman in Abuja, but the staff.
Amupitan announced that the Commission had commenced the procurement and distribution of new operational pick-up vehicles to boost mobility, security, and operational efficiency. He also assured participants of the Commission's commitment to their welfare and security, noting that a new salary and welfare package had been implemented, effective 1 January 2026. The Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS) moved INEC's workforce out of the regular Civil Service structure.
The INEC Chairman's warning and assurance come ahead of the 2027 general elections, scheduled to take place on 16 January 2027 for Presidential and National Assembly elections, and 6 February 2027 for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. The Commission's efforts aim to ensure a credible and transparent electoral process.
Key points
- INEC Chairman warns staff against partisanship, administrative negligence, and compromised ethics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
