The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed any possibility of postponing the 2027 general elections, insisting that the electoral timetable is fixed and preparations are on course. INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made this assurance during an interactive meeting with INEC staff members and Resident Electoral Commissioners from the six South-South states in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He emphasized that the commission is committed to conducting the elections in accordance with the law and its published timetable.
Amupitan's assurance comes amid claims by some political parties that the general elections could be postponed. However, he declared that the commission's statutory timeline is fixed and will not be changed. "The election must hold as scheduled," he said. The INEC chairman also announced that the commission would release the final voters' register on December 15, following the conclusion of its ongoing verification and correction exercise.
The INEC chairman disclosed that Rivers State would receive special attention during preparations because of its strategic electoral importance and the number of registered voters in the state. Rivers State has 3,736,434 registered voters, the highest in the South-South, followed by Delta with 3,525,988 and Edo with 2,865,263. Other states in the region, including Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Bayelsa, have 2,566,198, 1,928,978, and 1,200,691 registered voters, respectively.
Amupitan emphasized that the commission would ensure that operational failures do not disenfranchise voters, particularly in states with large voting populations. He told the officials that it is their duty to ensure that no voter is disenfranchised because of operational failures. The INEC chairman also disclosed that the commission had published the preliminary register online and at designated locations to allow eligible voters to verify their details and raise objections.
According to Amupitan, the commission has received more than 5,000 requests for corrections, including changes to names and dates of birth, as well as over 600 objections, which are being processed ahead of the release of the final register. The INEC chairman said that the commission had initially considered conducting a fresh voter revalidation exercise after he assumed office but abandoned the proposal because of concerns that it would be too close to the general elections.
Amupitan cited the Osun State elections as an example of a successful off-cycle election, which recorded the highest voter turnout in the history of off-cycle governorship elections in the country. He said that the election was adjudged credible locally and internationally despite earlier security concerns. The INEC chairman added that the commission would build on the experience gained from the off-cycle elections to improve its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The INEC chairman concluded that the commission is confident in its ability to conduct a successful election, despite the challenges. He emphasized that the commission will work to ensure that the 2027 general elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. The commission's preparations for the elections are ongoing, with a focus on ensuring that all eligible voters are able to participate in the electoral process.
Key points
- The INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has ruled out any postponement of the 2027 general elections.
- The commission will release the final voters' register on December 15, following the conclusion of its ongoing verification and correction exercise.
- Rivers State has the highest number of registered voters in the South-South region, with 3,736,434 voters.
