The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), has outlined five non-negotiable standards that will guide the conduct of the 2027 General Elections, pledging that the polls will be free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive.
Speaking at the 2026 Induction and Strategic Retreat for the Commission’s leadership in Lagos, Professor Amupitan said the five pillars represent the foundation upon which all preparations for the next electoral cycle will be built.
The two-day retreat, held from January 9 to 10 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, brought together National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners, and senior management staff for strategic alignment and operational planning.
Amupitan, who assumed office on October 23, 2025, commended INEC staff for their professionalism during the Anambra State off-cycle governorship election held on November 8, 2025, describing the exercise as peaceful and well-conducted.
He noted that the poll served as his first major test since taking over the leadership of the Commission.
The INEC Chairman disclosed that the Commission is already gearing up for key electoral activities in 2026, including the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections in February, as well as off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
According to him, these elections will provide critical opportunities to test and refine systems such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Continuous Voter Registration, voter register management, logistics coordination, and overall operational efficiency ahead of 2027.
He stressed the importance of earning and sustaining the confidence of young Nigerians, noting that millions of first-time voters expected to participate in the next general election are digitally savvy and demand transparency, speed, and accountability.
He said the Commission is committed to deploying technology and processes that inspire trust and eliminate doubts about the integrity of the electoral process.
Professor Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s strict adherence to the Electoral Act 2022 and all relevant amendments, describing the rule of law as the Commission’s guiding framework.
He warned that any act of misconduct, whether by omission or commission, would attract sanctions, adding that integrity remains non-negotiable.
Over the course of the retreat, participants deliberated on 17 thematic areas, including election security, ad-hoc staff management, logistics challenges, inter-agency collaboration, internal party democracy, political party financing, and stakeholder engagement.
In his remarks, the INEC Chairman emphasised the need for institutional cohesion, leadership development, and early coordination across departments, stating that rising public expectations require the Commission to operate as a unified, purpose-driven body.
He further declared that INEC’s ambition extends beyond conducting a successful election in Nigeria, expressing the desire for the Commission to emerge as Africa’s leading Election Management Body and a global reference point for electoral integrity and technological innovation.
“The 2027 General Election must be a defining moment for our democracy. Our processes must be transparent, our systems credible, and our outcomes beyond reproach,” he said.
The retreat concluded with calls for stronger internal communication, collaboration, and feedback mechanisms to ensure that the Commission is fully prepared for what is expected to be one of Nigeria’s most consequential elections.
