The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has inaugurated the Electoral Logistics Committee (ELOC) to strengthen preparations for the 2027 general elections, warning that no Nigerian should be disenfranchised because of the late arrival of election materials.
Amupitan inaugurated the committee on Thursday at INEC headquarters in Abuja, naming National Electoral Commissioner, retired Rear Admiral Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq, as its chairperson.
Describing the 2027 electoral preparations as a marathon rather than a sprint, the INEC chairman said early planning and effective coordination were essential to ensuring the timely and secure distribution of election materials nationwide.
He identified logistics as one of the most critical components of the electoral process, noting that the credibility of an election depends significantly on the availability of essential materials at polling units at the designated time.
According to him, the inauguration was a proactive step towards addressing the challenges associated with transporting sensitive and non-sensitive election materials across Nigeria’s diverse geographical terrain through road, air and maritime routes.
Amupitan said the committee would adopt a multi-agency approach, bringing together military and paramilitary institutions, security agencies and relevant transport organisations to improve coordination and operational efficiency.
He explained that the committee’s terms of reference include assessing the logistical requirements for the elections, developing comprehensive plans for the storage, distribution, deployment and retrieval of election materials, and evaluating the readiness of warehouses, vehicles, airports, seaports and other transportation facilities.
The committee is also expected to identify logistical gaps, ensure timely delivery of materials to all parts of the country, monitor compliance with approved schedules and develop strategies to address transportation bottlenecks, shortages and security threats.
The INEC chairman urged members to demonstrate professionalism and commitment, stressing that the country’s varied terrain, from the creeks of the Niger Delta to the arid regions of the North, required flexible and resilient logistical arrangements.
He said the commission was determined to ensure that logistical failures did not undermine voter participation or the credibility of the electoral process.
In her remarks, Abubakar-Sadiq described election logistics as the operational foundation of democracy, noting that effective planning and execution directly influence electoral integrity and public confidence.
She said the committee would develop a strategic logistics plan informed by lessons from previous elections, identify systemic vulnerabilities and establish mechanisms for the seamless movement of election materials.
The retired naval officer listed strategic airlift and cargo planning, land and maritime transportation, identification of operational bottlenecks, and the mapping of difficult terrain and security-challenged locations among the committee’s priorities.
She added that the committee would develop appropriate transportation and security arrangements for high-risk areas and submit a comprehensive report containing actionable recommendations and clearly defined operational timelines.
Abubakar-Sadiq also proposed the establishment of specialised subcommittees to handle airlift operations, land transportation, maritime transportation, storage and security, where necessary.
She disclosed that the Central Bank of Nigeria would be responsible for receiving, storing and distributing sensitive election materials through its nationwide branch network.
She emphasised that effective collaboration among relevant government institutions, state offices, transport unions and other stakeholders would be crucial to ensuring the safe and timely movement of election materials.
The inauguration was attended by INEC national commissioners and representatives of the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs, alongside officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Nigerian Ports Authority.
Representatives of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, maritime workers and other transport and security institutions were also present.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, was represented by Commissioner of Police Dr Abayomi Shogunle.
The inauguration marks an early milestone in INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the commission seeking to strengthen operational readiness and prevent logistical challenges from disrupting the electoral process.
