The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has warned that individuals who attack or threaten corps members and electoral officials during the 2027 general elections will face legal consequences.
Amupitan issued the warning on Saturday, October 31, 2026, during the commission’s South-South zonal interactive meeting with staff and readiness assessment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He specifically cautioned against violence targeting members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed for election duties, insisting that anyone found responsible would be prosecuted.
“Anyone who threatens or harms INEC officials, including National Youth Service Corps members deployed for election duties, would face the full weight of the law,” he said.
The INEC chairman also warned electoral officers against partisan conduct, negligence, absenteeism and financial misconduct, noting that such violations would attract disciplinary measures.
Providing an update on voter registration in the region, Amupitan disclosed that the South-South zone has 15,823,550 registered voters, with Rivers State accounting for 3,736,434.
He stressed that the commission would not allow eligible voters to lose their voting rights because of administrative lapses or logistical shortcomings.
On preparations for the 2027 elections, the chairman said INEC was making arrangements for the deployment of its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), including 57,000 newly procured devices.
He added that the commission was auditing its electronic result management systems as part of efforts to strengthen transparency in the transmission of election results.
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Amupitan also addressed concerns surrounding suspicious photographs identified on the preliminary voters’ register published online, saying the commission was reviewing the issue and would take corrective measures based on verified findings.
He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the display, claims and objections exercise to scrutinise the preliminary register and report any irregularities.
According to him, the final voters’ register is scheduled for publication on December 15, 2026.
The INEC chairman further disclosed that the commission had concluded an agreement with the Maritime Transporters Union to facilitate the movement of election personnel and materials to riverine communities across the South-South region.
The arrangement is expected to support election logistics in areas with difficult access, including creeks, coastal settlements and other riverine locations.