*Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has commenced a zonal readiness assessment of the Commission’s operations in the Southwest as part of efforts to ensure full administrative, human and logistical preparedness for the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during the engagement with Electoral Officers and other officials of the Commission in the zone, the Chairman said the exercise marked the commencement of a series of zonal engagements that would enable the Commission’s leadership to personally assess its level of preparedness for the forthcoming elections.
According to him, the Commission’s attention has now shifted fully to preparations for the 2027 General Election, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for 16 January 2027, followed by the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
The Chairman explained that the decision to adopt a zonal approach, rather than the usual state-by-state engagements, was informed by the limited time available before the elections.
He said the exercise would provide an opportunity to meet directly with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), Electoral Officers and other officials responsible for implementing the Commission’s policies and decisions at the state and local government levels.
“It is very critical for me to go and see for myself and be sure that we are physically, psychologically, materially and infrastructurally ready for the 2027 General Election,” he said.
Prof. Amupitan emphasised the importance of the administrative structure in delivering credible elections, describing Electoral Officers and other officials at the local government level as the Commission’s “foot soldiers” responsible for translating decisions and policies taken at the national level into effective action on the ground.
He explained that Electoral Officers work within a chain of responsibility under the supervision of Resident Electoral Commissioners, who are directly responsible to the Commission.
He noted that while the administrative component of election management had not always received sufficient attention, every link in the electoral chain was essential to the success of an election.
“Their role has always not been emphasised before now. But we know that if the chain is broken, then the election will run into crisis,” the Chairman said.
The Chairman said the readiness assessment was therefore designed to examine every component of the electoral process and identify areas requiring attention before the elections.
He further noted that the Commission was engaging its officials and partners to clarify responsibilities and strengthen coordination, particularly in areas relating to administration, staff management and implementation of Commission decisions.
He assured participants that the Commission would continue to address the various components of election preparation systematically in order to minimise operational gaps and ensure a seamless electoral process.
“We want to address every chain, every aspect of the election, and ensure that we have a seamless general election in 2027,” he said.