The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, has issued a stern warning that attacks on electoral officials, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed for election duties, will attract the full weight of the law. This warning was given during the South-South Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, ahead of the 2027 General Election. Amupitan emphasized that the Commission is working closely with security agencies to strengthen security arrangements.
The INEC chairman stressed that anyone who threatens or assaults election officials will be held accountable in accordance with the law. He also charged electoral officers across the South-South geopolitical zone to uphold impartiality, discipline, and accountability. Amupitan warned that partisanship, negligence, absenteeism, and financial impropriety will attract disciplinary measures. The zonal readiness assessment is part of INEC's field-based approach to evaluating operational preparedness.
According to Amupitan, the South-South zone has 15,823,550 registered voters, with Rivers State accounting for 3,736,434. He stressed that no eligible voter should be disenfranchised due to administrative negligence or logistical failures. The INEC chairman disclosed that the Commission is drawing lessons from its conduct of governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun states, FCT Area Council elections, and 16 by-elections to improve preparations for the nationwide exercise.
Amupitan revealed that INEC is preparing its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), including 57,000 newly procured devices, while auditing its electronic result management systems to strengthen transparency in result transmission through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. The Commission is also examining suspicious photographs in the preliminary voters' register published online and will take corrective measures based on verified findings.
The INEC chairman urged Nigerians to participate in the ongoing display, claims, and objections process ahead of the publication of the final voters' register scheduled for December 15, 2026. He also highlighted measures to improve staff welfare, including the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS), enhanced salaries, hazard and field allowances, as well as a 150 percent increase in monthly allocations for state offices, effective July 1, 2026.
To address logistical challenges facing the region, particularly its creeks, coastal settlements, and riverine communities, Amupitan disclosed that INEC has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maritime Transporters Union to facilitate the timely and secure movement of election personnel and materials. This move aims to ensure that electoral activities are conducted smoothly in these areas.
The Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) described the meeting as an important opportunity to assess the Commission's readiness for the 2027 elections. The meeting brought together stakeholders to discuss preparations and identify areas for improvement. Key stakeholders are working together to ensure a successful electoral process.
Key points
- INEC Chairman warns of tough action against attackers of electoral officials
- 15,823,550 registered voters in the South-South zone
- INEC to deploy 57,000 newly procured BVAS devices for the 2027 elections
