The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned its staff against partisan conduct, administrative negligence and ethical compromises ahead of the 2027 General Election, stressing that the credibility of the polls will depend largely on how faithfully officials implement the law.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the warning on Monday in Kaduna while declaring open the North-West Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment for the 2027 General Election, according to the INEC Daily Bulletin.
Amupitan said the Commission would strictly enforce its code of conduct, warning that protecting its institutional integrity was non-negotiable.
“Partisan leaning, administrative negligence, or compromised ethics will not be tolerated. Every officer must understand that protecting INEC’s institutional integrity is non-negotiable,” he said.
He said the conduct of field officers was critical to election credibility, warning that administrative failures could fuel disinformation, voter apathy and public distrust.
“When a polling unit opens late, when an officer displays nonchalance or perceived bias, or when technical glitches are met with silence, we inadvertently validate the cynics, deepen voter apathy, and fuel disinformation,” he said.
The chairman reminded staff of the oath of loyalty and neutrality required under Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2026, which commits electoral officials and security personnel to administer elections without preference for any candidate or political party.
“The question must never be ‘Who will benefit from this decision?’ but always ‘What does the law require me to do?’” he stated.
Amupitan cautioned officers against improvisation and informal shortcuts, directing them to strictly follow procedures prescribed by the Electoral Act 2026, the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2026 and other approved guidelines.
He said operational difficulties should be escalated through formal institutional channels, stressing that neither a sound legal framework nor modern technology alone could guarantee credible elections.
“The credibility of an election depends on how faithfully the law is implemented by the officials entrusted with its administration,” he said.
The INEC chairman described field officers as the face of the Commission in their communities and urged them to “know the law, understand your responsibility, remain neutral, document your actions.”
He said the Kaduna meeting was part of a six-zone interactive meeting and readiness assessment tour ahead of the 2027 elections, noting that the Commission was taking the engagements directly to staff because election success was ultimately determined in the field.
Meanwhile, the Commission said collection of newly printed Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, would commence on October 9, 2026.
The Supervising National Commissioner for Kaduna, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed this at the meeting, saying the INEC chairman had informed the Emir of Zazzau of the scheduled commencement.
Haruna appealed to traditional rulers to encourage eligible citizens to collect their PVCs and exercise their constitutional right to vote.
The Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
