INEC Suspends Staff Annual Leave Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended annual leave for its staff ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, announced the directive during a readiness assessment meeting with commission officials in Lokoja, Kogi State. The move aims to ensure personnel remain available for election preparations. Amupitan warned that staff found guilty of negligence, absenteeism, financial impropriety, or political partisanship would face sanctions.

The 2027 general elections will involve over 103 million registered voters across 176,846 polling units. The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state assembly elections will hold on February 6. INEC is taking steps to ensure a smooth electoral process. Amupitan urged INEC officials to show greater discipline and commitment to their duties, and directed Resident Electoral Commissioners and Administrative Secretaries to enforce attendance and accountability measures.

Amupitan announced improved welfare packages and logistical support for INEC personnel. The Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure took effect on January 1, 2026, with increased salary, hazard, and field allowances. Monthly overhead allocations to state offices rose by 150% from July 1, 2026. The commission has also distributed operational pick-up vehicles to state and local government offices and procured 20 new Sports Utility Vehicles for Resident Electoral Commissioners.

INEC is configuring 57,000 newly procured Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices to improve voter verification and accreditation. The commission is also auditing its electronic result management systems, including the eEC8A verification platform, to support the transparent transmission of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal. These measures aim to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the electoral process.

On voter registration, Amupitan said printable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and a digital PVC Location Portal have been activated. The preliminary voters’ register is available for public scrutiny, while the certified register will be published on December 15, 2026. These initiatives are part of INEC's efforts to ensure a credible and inclusive electoral process.

The INEC chairman emphasized the importance of discipline and commitment among staff, warning that any breaches would attract decisive sanctions. The commission's efforts to enhance its logistics and technology infrastructure are geared towards ensuring a successful and transparent electoral process. With the 2027 elections approaching, INEC is taking steps to build confidence in the electoral process.

As the 2027 general elections draw near, INEC is working to address potential challenges and ensure a smooth process. The commission's focus on staff discipline, voter registration, and logistical support underscores its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and transparent election. With over 103 million registered voters, the stakes are high, and INEC's efforts will be crucial in determining the success of the electoral process.

Key points

• INEC suspends staff annual leave to ensure availability for 2027 election preparations
• Improved welfare packages and logistical support announced for INEC personnel
• INEC procures 57,000 BVAS devices to enhance voter verification and accreditation