The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has charged its personnel to uphold professionalism, accountability, and timely service delivery as it prepares for the 2027 general election. Public confidence in the electoral process depends partly on how effectively officials respond to citizens' needs. The Commission gave the charge during its 2026 Customer Service Week celebration in Abuja.
The event, held under the theme "Going the Extra Mile," followed a fitness and health awareness walk and a sensitisation exercise on Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection by staff of the Commission. National Commissioner and Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, spoke on behalf of INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan. She stressed that every staff member was an ambassador of the Commission.
Gumus urged personnel to take ownership of their responsibilities, find practical solutions to challenges, and assist citizens beyond the minimum requirements of their duties. She emphasised that excellent customer service should not be limited to an annual celebration but become an enduring institutional culture. The Commission's ongoing electoral activities require efficient service to enable eligible citizens to participate in the electoral process.
Gumus also emphasised the need for prompt responses to correspondence, adherence to due process in contract administration, and accessible channels through which citizens could obtain information and engage with the Commission. She urged staff to demonstrate courtesy, competence, responsiveness, and integrity in their dealings with the public. Continuous training and staff welfare are essential to sustaining service standards.
The Commission also called on political actors and other stakeholders to comply with electoral laws, participate responsibly in the democratic process, and promote tolerance and dialogue rather than electoral malpractice and violence. The Acting National Coordinator of the Presidency's Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM), Mrs. Helen Lawal, commended INEC for organising the event.
Lawal described customer service excellence as requiring deliberate efforts to exceed expectations through efficient, responsive, and citizen-focused service. She emphasised that improving service delivery is a collective responsibility requiring cooperation across departments. Public servants should anticipate citizens' needs, provide clear guidance, demonstrate patience and empathy, and take responsibility for complaints until they are resolved.
As preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum, INEC's emphasis on service delivery highlights the importance of accessible electoral information, efficient voter services, and prompt attention to citizens' concerns. The effectiveness of these services will remain an important part of the Commission's engagement with voters and its efforts to sustain public confidence in the electoral process.
Key points
- INEC tasks staff on professionalism, accountability, and timely service delivery ahead of the 2027 general election.
