Amupitan Unveils Five-Point Framework for Credible 2027 Elections

By Iyojo Ameh

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), has unveiled a five-point framework that will guide preparations and operations for the 2027 General Elections, pledging that the polls will be free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive.

Professor Amupitan made this known while delivering his opening address at the 2026 Induction and Strategic Retreat for the Commission’s leadership in Lagos.

The two-day retreat, held from January 9 to 10 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, brought together National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners and senior management staff for strategic alignment and intensive planning.

He described the five pillars as non-negotiable principles that would underpin all electoral activities in the build-up to 2027, stressing that the integrity of the process must never be compromised.

The INEC Chairman, who assumed office on October 23, 2025, commended staff for their professionalism during the Anambra State off-cycle governorship election held on November 8, 2025, describing it as peaceful and well-conducted. He said the election served as an important test of the Commission’s systems under his leadership.

Looking ahead, Amupitan disclosed that INEC is preparing for key electoral activities in 2026, including the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections in February and the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

According to him, these polls will serve as critical opportunities to fine-tune operational systems such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Continuous Voter Registration, voter register management, logistics coordination and personnel deployment.

He noted that winning the confidence of young Nigerians is central to the Commission’s strategy, explaining that millions of first-time voters expected to participate in 2027 are digitally savvy and demand transparency, speed and accountability.

“The emerging generation of voters has little tolerance for opacity. Our processes must be open, verifiable and trustworthy,” he said.

Professor Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s strict adherence to the Electoral Act 2022 and all relevant amendments, describing the rule of law as the Commission’s operating guide.

He warned that any form of misconduct, whether by omission or commission, would attract sanctions.

Over the course of the retreat, participants engaged in discussions across 17 thematic areas, including election security, ad-hoc staff management, logistics challenges, inter-agency collaboration, internal party democracy, political party financing and stakeholder engagement.

The INEC Chairman emphasised the need for institutional cohesion, leadership development and early coordination across departments, noting that rising public expectations require the Commission to operate as a unified and purpose-driven organisation.

He further stated that INEC’s ambition goes beyond conducting a successful election in Nigeria, adding that the Commission is determined to emerge as Africa’s leading Election Management Body and a global reference point for electoral integrity and technological excellence.

“The 2027 General Election must be a defining moment for our democracy. Our systems must work, our processes must be transparent, and our outcomes must be beyond reproach,” he said.

The retreat concluded with calls for stronger internal communication, collaboration and feedback mechanisms to ensure that the Commission is fully prepared for what is expected to be one of Nigeria’s most consequential electoral cycles.