INEC begins 2027 election readiness assessment

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun assessing its preparedness for the 2027 general elections, with its chairman, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, calling on officials to address operational gaps and maintain neutrality.

In a post on X, INEC said Amupitan made the call on Monday in Kaduna during the commission’s North-West zonal interactive meeting with staff and readiness assessment for the 2027 elections.

The meeting is part of a six-zone nationwide exercise by the commission to assess its preparations, identify challenges facing its field operations and find solutions ahead of the elections.

Speaking at the event, Amupitan said the exercise was aimed at strengthening the country’s electoral system and ensuring that weaknesses do not affect the credibility of the 2027 polls.

He said the success of elections depended largely on what happened at the grassroots, particularly in Local Government Areas, Registration Area Centres and polling units where officials have direct contact with voters.

“The true success of any election is not decided solely in the meeting rooms of our headquarters in Abuja. It is decided in the field,” he said.

The INEC chairman urged staff to openly raise challenges affecting election administration in their areas and work with the commission’s headquarters to address them before election day.

He added that INEC was applying lessons learnt from recent elections as it prepares for the larger 2027 national exercise.

Amupitan also warned officials against partisan behaviour and administrative negligence, saying their neutrality and professionalism would be important in maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.