The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, has warned electoral officials against partisanship, negligence, absenteeism and financial impropriety, stressing that such misconduct will attract disciplinary action as preparations intensify for the 2027 General Election.
Professor Amupitan gave the warning during the South-South Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
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He charged officials across the geopolitical zone to uphold impartiality, discipline, professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities to ensure credible elections.
The INEC Chairman said the readiness assessment was part of the Commission’s field-based strategy to evaluate operational preparedness, identify gaps and strengthen service delivery ahead of the nationwide elections.
He cited the Commission’s experience in conducting governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States, FCT Area Council elections and 16 by-elections as important lessons informing preparations for 2027.
Professor Amupitan disclosed that the South-South zone has 15,823,550 registered voters, including 3,736,434 in Rivers State, stressing that no eligible voter should be disenfranchised because of administrative negligence or logistical failure.
On electoral technology, he said INEC was strengthening its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), including the deployment of 57,000 newly procured devices, while auditing its electronic result management systems to enhance transparency in result transmission through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
Addressing concerns over suspicious photographs in 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 Nigerians to participate in the display, claims and objections process ahead of the publication of the final register scheduled for 15 December 2026.
On logistics, Professor Amupitan identified the creeks, coastal settlements and riverine communities across the South-South as peculiar challenges requiring special arrangements.
He disclosed that INEC had finalised a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maritime Transporters Union to facilitate the timely and secure transportation of election personnel and materials.
The Chairman also highlighted the Commission’s collaboration with security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), emphasising intelligence-led planning and the protection of voters, electoral materials and personnel.
He warned that 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.
On staff welfare, Professor Amupitan highlighted measures introduced by the Commission, including the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS), enhanced salary, hazard and field allowances, as well as a 150 per cent increase in monthly state office overhead allocations, effective 1 July 2026.
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Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Rivers State welcomed the INEC Chairman, National Commissioners, fellow Resident Electoral Commissioners and other officials from the six South-South states.
He described the meeting as an important opportunity to assess preparedness and address outstanding operational challenges before Election Day.
The REC said credible elections required deliberate planning, adequate logistics, trained personnel, functional technology, effective security coordination and sustained voter education.
He called for stronger collaboration between the Commission’s headquarters and state offices, as well as inclusive participation by women, young people and persons with disabilities.
In her presentation, the Director of Planning and Monitoring, Mrs Helen Ajayi, outlined the objectives of the meeting, including staff motivation, assessment of state preparedness, identification of operational and logistical challenges, and departmental updates on preparations for the 2027 General Election.
She explained that situation reports from the six states would cover election security, training, voter education and stakeholder engagement, while departmental presentations would provide updates on voter registration, Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection, information and communication technology, human resources and election operations.
Mrs Ajayi also highlighted Electoral Risk Management (ERM) as an important tool for identifying and mapping potential electoral risk areas to support preventive planning and security coordination.
She urged Electoral Officers and other field personnel to cooperate with assessment teams and work closely with the Planning and Monitoring Department to ensure effective monitoring and prevent implementation gaps.
The Director further emphasised grassroots mobilisation and the involvement of traditional rulers in encouraging eligible citizens to participate in the 2027 General Election.
As part of the assessment, presentations were also delivered by the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi; Director of Voter Registry, Mr Isah Magaji Gummi; and Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, who represented the Director, Engr Victor Ikechukwu Igboh.
Other presentations were made on behalf of the Director of Human Resources, U. M. Bashar, by Mrs Evangeline Ugwa, and the Director of Electoral Operations, Mrs Oluyemi Adeyemi Showunmu, by Mrs Ayaeze Christina.
Representatives of the six South-South states also presented reports on their respective levels of preparedness, highlighting operational progress, outstanding tasks and challenges requiring attention.
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The meeting forms part of INEC’s nationwide operational readiness assessment aimed at strengthening coordination, addressing emerging challenges and ensuring that preparations across the country are completed efficiently and in accordance with electoral laws.
Professor Amupitan formally declared the meeting open, urging electoral officials to demonstrate integrity, professionalism and commitment to delivering credible, transparent and inclusive elections in 2027.