INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan promises neutrality and operational excellence as the commission intensifies preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 elections
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians and the international community that the commission will remain neutral and focused until the conclusion of the 2027 general elections.
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Amupitan made the commitment on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, as INEC held a World Press Conference and National Stakeholders’ Meeting in Abuja to mark 100 days to the 2027 elections.
The commission’s engagement brought together political parties, security agencies, diplomatic representatives, development partners, civil society organisations, observer groups, religious and traditional leaders, youth organisations and media executives.
The meeting focused on the commission’s preparations, including the voters’ register, candidate nominations, logistics and measures aimed at protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
Amupitan said INEC would continue working with relevant stakeholders to deliver elections that command public confidence.
“We assure the nation and the international community of our total neutrality, operational excellence, and the sacred integrity of the ballot box,” he said.
He also appealed to Nigerians and other stakeholders to support the commission as preparations enter a critical stage.
“Let us work together to make 2027 general elections a moment of pride for our nation,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman acknowledged the contribution of development partners who have supported the commission’s preparations and said the electoral body would remain focused until the process is completed.
“I want to express appreciation to our development partners who have worked with us, supported us to get this far. Let me say that until the deed is done after the general elections, we can’t rest on our oars,” he said.
The declaration comes as INEC enters the final stretch towards the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027, according to INEC’s current official election calendar.
The dates were brought forward after the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which replaced the earlier timetable that had placed the presidential and National Assembly elections in February and the governorship and state assembly polls in March.
With the presidential election now less than four months away, INEC faces a compressed period for completing several election-related activities.
Amupitan also highlighted the commission’s arrangements for international observers and election security.
He said INEC’s International Cooperation and Partnership 2027 Election Project Plan would provide a framework for managing international observer protocols, stakeholder engagement, security readiness and validated election timelines.
The commission is also working through its SERVICOM Unit to improve service delivery, operational transparency and staff ethics.
According to Amupitan, the unit has been conducting freedom of information and capacity-building workshops while developing revised integrated and medical service channels.
The chairman’s latest assurance follows repeated declarations by INEC that it has no preferred candidate or political party ahead of the election.
In September, Amupitan said the commission had “no candidate” and “no party” to favour, stressing that its responsibility was to conduct the election in accordance with the law.
The commission’s latest stakeholder engagement also provided an opportunity for participants to raise concerns about the forthcoming polls.
Stakeholders who spoke at the meeting urged INEC to ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible and that eligible voters, including persons with disabilities, are not excluded from the process.
For INEC, the countdown now carries greater operational significance.
With the January 16 presidential and National Assembly polls approaching, the commission must complete the remaining preparations while maintaining public confidence in its independence and the integrity of the ballot.
Also read: INEC seeks funds ahead of 2027 elections
Amupitan’s message was therefore both an assurance and a commitment: INEC intends to remain at work until the votes are cast, the process is concluded and the 2027 general elections are fully delivered.
