The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, has warned politicians and other individuals against attacking electoral officials, including National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed for election duties, saying offenders will face the full weight of the law.
Amupitan gave the warning on Saturday, October 31, 2026, during the South-South Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He charged electoral officials across the South-South geopolitical zone to maintain impartiality, discipline and accountability as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The INEC chairman warned that partisanship, negligence, absenteeism and financial impropriety among staff would attract disciplinary action, stressing the need for professionalism and strict adherence to the Commission’s standards.
INEC Assesses Readiness for 2027 Elections
Amupitan explained that the zonal assessment was part of INEC’s field-based strategy for evaluating operational preparedness, identifying gaps and improving service delivery ahead of the 2027 elections.
He cited the Commission’s experience in conducting governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, as well as FCT Area Council elections and 16 by-elections, as part of the lessons informing preparations for the nationwide polls.
Providing voter statistics for the South-South region, the chairman disclosed that the zone has 15,823,550 registered voters, including 3,736,434 in Rivers State.
He stressed that INEC would work to ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised because of administrative negligence or logistical failures.
INEC Strengthens BVAS, IReV Preparations
On electoral technology, Amupitan said the Commission was preparing its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), including 57,000 newly procured devices.
He also disclosed that INEC was auditing its electronic result management systems to strengthen transparency in the transmission of election results through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
Addressing concerns over suspicious photographs reportedly appearing on the preliminary voters’ register published online, the chairman said the Commission was examining the records and would take corrective action based on verified findings.
He urged members of the public to participate in the display, claims and objections process ahead of the publication of the final voters’ register, scheduled for December 15, 2026.
INEC Partners Maritime Transporters for Election Logistics
Amupitan identified the South-South region’s creeks, coastal settlements and riverine communities as major logistical challenges for election operations.
He disclosed that INEC had finalised a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maritime Transporters Union to facilitate the timely and secure movement of election personnel and materials across the region.
On election security, he reaffirmed the Commission’s collaboration with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
He said the partnership would focus on intelligence-led planning and the protection of voters, election materials and personnel.
The INEC chairman specifically warned that anyone who threatens or attacks electoral officials, including NYSC members deployed for election duties, would face legal consequences.
INEC Highlights Staff Welfare Measures
The chairman also emphasised the need for strict compliance with electoral laws, regulations and guidelines by all personnel involved in the conduct of elections.
On staff welfare, he highlighted measures introduced by the Commission, including the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS), improved salaries, hazard and field allowances.
He further disclosed that monthly overhead allocations for state offices had been increased by 150 per cent, with the adjustment taking effect from July 1, 2026.
Amupitan said the measures formed part of efforts to strengthen the Commission’s operational capacity and support its personnel as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.
