INEC chair warns electoral officers against compromising 2027 polls, vows serious consequences

Nigeria’s electoral officials have been warned that compromising the 2027 elections will carry consequences. Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Joash Amupitan delivered the message at a South-west Zonal Interactive Meeting on staff readiness in Lagos.

Amupitan said partisan leaning, administrative negligence and compromised ethics would not be tolerated. “We will enforce our code of conduct, and every officer must understand that the protection of INEC’s institutional integrity is non-negotiable.”

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We will enforce our code of conduct, and every officer must understand that the protection of INEC’s institutional integrity is non-negotiable.

He told officials to remain neutral and administer elections without favoring any candidate or political party. The Electoral Act, he said, reinforces that obligation by requiring election staff to swear an oath of loyalty and neutrality. “The question should never be: ‘Who will benefit from this decision?’ The question should always be, ‘What does the law require me to do?’ That is the discipline that protects both the electoral process and the electoral officer.”

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The question should never be: ‘Who will benefit from this decision?’ The question should always be, ‘What does the law require me to do?’ That is the discipline that protects both the electoral process and the electoral officer.

The chairman also cautioned staff against improvising when the law or INEC guidelines already set out a procedure. Officials should follow lawful directives and refer operational difficulties through the appropriate institutional channel, he said.

Amupitan said the credibility of the elections would depend heavily on how faithfully officials apply the law. “A beautifully drafted Electoral Act cannot by itself guarantee a credible election. A sophisticated electoral technology cannot by itself guarantee integrity. An independent electoral commission cannot by itself guarantee public confidence.” Nigeria is scheduled to hold its presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16, with governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections set for February 6.

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A beautifully drafted Electoral Act cannot by itself guarantee a credible election. A sophisticated electoral technology cannot by itself guarantee integrity. An independent electoral commission cannot by itself guarantee public confidence.