*Warns Staff Against Electoral Malpractice
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has dismissed claims that the commission plans to postpone the 2027 general elections, insisting that the electoral timetable remains unchanged and that the polls must hold as scheduled.
Amupitan gave the assurance on Saturday during an interactive meeting with INEC staff and Resident Electoral Commissioners from the six South-South states, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to assess the commission’s preparedness for the forthcoming elections.
His declaration followed allegations by some political parties that the commission was considering shifting the general elections.
Addressing the electoral officials, Amupitan maintained that INEC was committed to conducting credible elections in accordance with the law and would not alter the timetable already established for the exercise.
“Our statutory timeline is fixed. We will not change anything. The election must hold as scheduled,” he declared.
The INEC chairman also announced that Rivers State would receive special attention during the elections because of its strategic importance and its position as the state with the highest number of registered voters in the South-South geopolitical zone.
According to figures presented by Amupitan, Rivers State has 3,736,434 registered voters, followed by Delta State with 3,525,988; Edo State, 2,865,263; Akwa Ibom State, 2,566,198; Cross River State, 1,928,978; and Bayelsa State, 1,200,691.
He put the total number of registered voters across the six states at 15,823,550, stressing that the commission would intensify its preparations to ensure that eligible voters were not disenfranchised through administrative lapses or operational failures.
“With the 3,736,434 registered voters for Rivers State, the state leads the South-South. By this, the commission will put more attention to what happens in Rivers State. It is your duty to ensure that no voter is disenfranchised because of operational failures,” he said.
Amupitan further disclosed that INEC had published the preliminary voters’ register online and at designated locations across the country to enable members of the public to identify discrepancies and submit claims and objections.
He revealed that the commission had received more than 5,000 claims involving corrections to voters’ details, including names and dates of birth, alongside more than 600 objections.
According to him, the commission was addressing the complaints as part of efforts to produce an accurate and credible register ahead of the elections.
The INEC chairman reiterated that the final voters’ register would be ready on December 15, 2026, assuring Nigerians that outstanding issues would be addressed before the deadline.
He explained that the commission had initially considered a comprehensive revalidation of the register after he assumed office but abandoned the proposal because of concerns that the exercise would be too close to the general elections.
Speaking on INEC’s readiness, Amupitan expressed confidence that lessons from recent off-cycle governorship elections would strengthen preparations for the 2027 polls.
He particularly cited the Osun State governorship election, which he said recorded the highest voter turnout in the history of off-cycle elections in Nigeria and was adjudged credible by local and international observers despite initial security concerns.
“Osun State elections gave us the confidence that we can achieve this despite the noise. It is good that we had a series of those elections before the general elections because we learn lessons from every election,” he stated.
Amupitan said INEC would build on the experience gained from the off-cycle elections to improve its operations, particularly in logistics, voter accreditation, security arrangements and the management of election results.
He expressed optimism that the commission would deliver a better electoral process in 2027, stressing that elections should strengthen Nigeria’s democracy rather than undermine it.
“We will conduct elections that will move the nation forward and not an election that will bring it down,” he said.
On security, the INEC chairman disclosed that the commission was working closely with security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service (SSS), to protect voters, election officials, ad hoc personnel and electoral materials.
He maintained that the commission would not encourage Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) without making adequate arrangements for their safety on election day.
“We want every part of Nigeria to be calm during the elections so that people can come out to vote. We will not tell them to take their PVCs and then will not guarantee their safety,” Amupitan stated.
He also addressed concerns about the possible influence of artificial intelligence and computer algorithms on the outcome of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan dismissed suggestions that technology would determine the results, insisting that the choice of political leaders remained the responsibility of Nigerian voters.
“It is the people of Nigeria that will decide the outcome of the elections and not AI or any algorithms,” he declared.
However, the INEC chairman acknowledged the increasing cybersecurity threats associated with artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
He said the commission was examining ways to strengthen its digital infrastructure and deploy appropriate technology to protect electoral systems against cyberattacks and unauthorised interference.
According to him, INEC would continue to review its technological safeguards to prevent individuals or groups from compromising its operations.
Amupitan urged staff members across the South-South zone to remain professional, impartial and committed to their responsibilities, stressing that the credibility of the elections would depend largely on the conduct of officials at polling units and other field locations.
He warned that any permanent or ad hoc staff member, including National Youth Service Corps members engaged for election duties, found attempting to compromise the electoral process would face sanctions in accordance with the law.
The chairman maintained that INEC would not tolerate misconduct capable of undermining public confidence in the elections, assuring Nigerians that the commission remained committed to conducting peaceful, transparent and credible polls in 2027.
Post Title: “The Election Must Hold As Scheduled” — INEC Chairman Rules Out Postponement Of 2027 General Elections By Naijaonpoint.