Joash Amupitan, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called on the electoral body’s employees to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and integrity in the performance of their duties as plans for the 2027 general elections start to take shape.
According to a statement from the INEC Media Team, headed by Victoria Eta-Messi, Amupitan took the lead on Friday when visiting the Commission’s state office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he spoke with employees and examined a few voter registration locations in Ikot Ekpene.
In order to assess important issues of electoral administration as part of early preparations for the 2027 polls, the Commission held a technical workshop in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area at the same time as the visit.
During the visit, the INEC chairman spoke to the staff, reminding them that Nigerians have high expectations for the Commission’s ability to conduct credible elections.
“Nigerians anticipate credible, free, and fair elections from the Commission,” Amupitan stated. “Every employee is expected to uphold professionalism, transparency, and integrity at all times.”
He clarified that in order to improve the electoral process before the next general election, the Commission has already started internal investigations and technical engagements.
“The future is something you create if you want to predict it,” he stated. “We are starting to develop what the 2027 election should look like with this retreat.”
Amupitan also emphasized the significance of preserving the voter register’s integrity, pointing out that the current voter revalidation process was created to get rid of duplicate registrations and remove the names of people who have passed away from the database.
In order to increase the accuracy of population data and guarantee that only eligible citizens are registered to vote, he said the Commission would keep working with pertinent national data agencies, such as the National Identity Management Commission and the National Population Commission.
The chairman of INEC further reassured employees that the Commission was still dedicated to enhancing their well-being and professional advancement.
In light of the technical nature of election management and the risks involved, he revealed that attempts were being made to create a specialized professional cadre for INEC staff.
Amupitan also reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to enhancing working conditions and retirement benefits for its employees and thanked employees who had recently received promotions during the Commission’s most recent promotion exercise.
Speaking on election technology, the chairman asked employees to make sure that all of the Commission’s electoral innovations, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), continue to be fully operational and prepared for use in upcoming elections.
He reminded them that the commitment and expertise of the Commission’s staff are crucial to the legitimacy of elections and public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Obo Effanga, the resident electoral commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, said earlier in his welcoming speech that the chairman’s visit offered a chance to interact directly with employees in charge of carrying out the Commission’s duty in the state.
Effanga pointed out that even though the Commission was in Ikot Ekpene for a technical workshop, the visit to the state office in Uyo gave the INEC chairman the opportunity to speak with staff members and see directly what the state’s employees were doing.
May Agbamuche-Mbu, Rhoda Gumus, and A. T. Yusuf were among the national commissioners that accompanied Amupitan on the tour, together with the Resident Electoral Commissioner and additional technical assistants.
Ten
Hon. Dr. Philip “Okanga” Agbese, a transformative leader in Enone. Discover his achievements, community projects, and vision for 2027
