INEC Reaffirms Commitment to Credible, Inclusive 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day Induction and Strategic Retreat for newly appointed Chairman, National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners in Lagos on Friday, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), said the commission was deliberately strengthening its leadership capacity, operational systems and institutional coherence to meet rising public expectations.

Prof. Amupitan said early planning, strategic coordination and strict adherence to the rule of law would be critical to the credibility of the 2027 General Election, stressing that the process must be anchored on professionalism and integrity.

“While the 2027 General Election is our ultimate destination, there are important electoral milestones we must successfully navigate along the way,” he said.

According to him, upcoming elections, including the February 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council polls and the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, would serve as testing grounds for INEC’s systems.

He noted that these elections would help refine voter register management, logistics and the deployment of technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The INEC chairman outlined five non-negotiable pillars guiding the commission’s work: freedom from interference, fairness to all political parties and candidates, credibility in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community, transparency at every stage of the process and inclusivity to ensure no eligible voter is disenfranchised.

He drew attention to the growing number of young, first-time voters ahead of 2027, describing them as digitally savvy citizens who demand transparency in real time.

“Earning the trust of this demographic requires systems that are inclusive, technologically sound and beyond reproach,” he said, adding that credibility established in 2027 would translate into long-term confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

Prof. Amupitan assured that INEC would continue to operate strictly within the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and any subsequent amendments.

“Respect for the rule of law remains fundamental to our operations and decision-making. Any compromise of our established values and procedures will attract consequences,” he warned.

He explained that the retreat would deliberate on 17 critical thematic areas aimed at strengthening election management, including logistics and personnel deployment, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), election security and inter-agency collaboration, political party regulation, campaign finance transparency, result management and the training of election personnel.

The INEC chairman said the engagement would also induct new commission members and Resident Electoral Commissioners into INEC’s institutional framework, administrative structure, communication processes and ethical standards, while exposing them to the legal framework for elections and tribunal procedures.

He added that lessons from off-cycle elections, bye-elections and other electoral activities would be shared by experienced state-level implementers to improve the integrity of the voter register, election logistics, personnel training and the Election Result Management System ahead of 2027.

Reaffirming his commitment to staff welfare, Prof. Amupitan said excellence would be demanded but promised that the commission would provide the tools and enabling environment required for optimal performance.

He urged INEC’s leadership to break down institutional silos, promote open communication and work collectively to sustain public trust.

Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami, welcomed participants, describing the retreat as a significant milestone in INEC’s institutional evolution.

He said the engagement provided a platform for reflection, strategic alignment and consolidation at a time of heightened public expectations.

According to him, early planning, coordination and institutional cohesion are indispensable as the commission advances towards the 2027 General Election.

He added that beyond technical knowledge, the retreat offers opportunities for peer interaction, leadership bonding and cross-fertilisation of ideas.

Also speaking, the Director of Planning and Monitoring, Mrs. Helen Ajayi, said the retreat was designed to induct new members into INEC’s legal and administrative architecture while providing a platform for experience sharing among state-level implementers of electoral policies.

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