The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the commission will not predetermine the outcome of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the statement in Owerri, Imo State, during the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, where election security and preparations for the 2027 polls were discussed.
He said INEC was committed to conducting transparent elections and would work with security agencies to address challenges that could prevent eligible Nigerians from voting.
According to Amupitan, insecurity in some parts of the country remains a major concern because violence could disenfranchise voters. He said INEC was working with the Nigeria Police Force, the lead agency for election security, to develop measures for conducting elections in areas affected by insecurity.
The INEC chairman also raised concerns about political violence and the conduct of campaigns, urging political parties and candidates to focus on issues rather than personal attacks.
He said the commission was also working with law-enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute people who violate provisions of the Electoral Act.
On disputes arising from political party primaries, Amupitan said such matters remained within the jurisdiction of the courts. He added that INEC would comply with whatever final decisions are reached through the judicial process.
The chairman also spoke about vote buying, saying the practice is increasingly being organised away from polling units. He said INEC therefore needs stronger intelligence-gathering capabilities to detect and tackle such activities before and during elections.
Amupitan disclosed that the commission was considering a joint task force involving the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney-General’s office and security agencies to strengthen enforcement against electoral offences.
He said INEC would also continue improving its logistics and result-management systems, using lessons from previous elections to address identified weaknesses.
The commission has previously said the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for February 20, 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027. (INEC Nigeria)
Amupitan said recent off-cycle elections had provided useful lessons for the commission and would help shape preparations for the general elections.
He reiterated that INEC’s objective was to conduct elections that Nigerians could have confidence in, while calling on political parties, security agencies, the media and citizens to play their respective roles in maintaining a peaceful electoral process.
Source: INEC
