The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, SAN, has urged staff of the commission to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, transparency and integrity in the discharge of their duties, as the nation prepares for the 2027 polls.
Amupitan gave the charge on Thursday during a visit to the commission’s state office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on the sidelines of a technical workshop held in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
The workshop formed part of a retreat convened by the commission to review key aspects of electoral administration ahead of future polls.
Addressing staff after inspecting voter registration centres in Ikot Ekpene, the INEC chairman said Nigerians expect the commission to deliver credible, free and fair elections, stressing that meeting such expectations requires dedication and professionalism from all personnel.
“Nigerians expect the commission to deliver credible, free and fair elections. That expectation places a responsibility on every member of staff to uphold professionalism, transparency and integrity at all times,” he said.
Amupitan noted that the commission had already begun laying the groundwork for the 2027 Nigerian general election through internal reviews, technical engagements and operational improvements aimed at strengthening the electoral process.
“If you want to predict the future, you create it. What we are doing now, including this retreat, is to begin to create what the 2027 election should look like,” he added.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining the integrity of the voter register, explaining that the ongoing voter revalidation exercise was designed to eliminate duplicate registrations and remove the names of deceased persons.
According to him, the commission would continue to deepen collaboration with national data institutions, including the National Population Commission and the National Identity Management Commission, to improve the accuracy of demographic data and ensure that only eligible citizens are captured on the voter register.
The INEC chairman further assured staff of the commission’s commitment to improving their welfare and career development.
He disclosed that efforts were underway to establish a specialised professional cadre for INEC personnel in recognition of the technical nature of election management and the risks associated with the responsibility.
Amupitan also congratulated staff recently promoted during the commission’s latest promotion exercise and reiterated INEC’s commitment to improving working conditions and retirement benefits.
On election technology, he urged staff to ensure that all electoral innovations introduced by the commission, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, remain fully operational and ready for deployment ahead of future elections.
He emphasised that the credibility of elections and public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy depend significantly on the diligence and commitment of the commission’s workforce.
Earlier in his remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Obo Effanga, said the chairman’s visit provided an opportunity for direct engagement with staff implementing the commission’s mandate in the state.
Effanga noted that although the commission was in Ikot Ekpene for a technical workshop, the visit to the state office in Uyo enabled the chairman to interact with personnel and gain firsthand insight into their efforts.
Amupitan was accompanied on the visit by National Commissioners May Agbamuche-Mbu, Rhoda Gumus, and A. T. Yusuf, as well as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State and technical aides to the chairman.
