By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has commenced its National Zonal Physical Assessment Tour in the South-East as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election, seeking the support of traditional rulers to ensure peaceful, credible and inclusive polls.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council and Chairman of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, in Enugu.
Amupitan, who led National Commissioners and senior management staff of the Commission on the visit, said the tour was aimed at assessing operational readiness and evaluating the preparedness of electoral personnel down to the Registration Area (Ward) level.
He explained that INEC had prioritized engagement with traditional institutions across the country, recognizing their influence in promoting grassroots peace, civic participation and community stability.
The INEC chairman said the Commission had conducted several electoral exercises under his leadership, including governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, an election in the Federal Capital Territory and 16 bye-elections nationwide, which helped it improve logistics, early poll openings and technological deployment.
He reaffirmed the dates for the 2027 general elections, stating that the Presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on January 16, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections were scheduled for February 6, 2027.
Amupitan urged traditional rulers to support the Commission in three key areas: mobilization of eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), sensitization against voter apathy and vote buying, and promotion of peace and non-violence before, during and after the elections.
He stressed that while INEC was responsible for the technical and administrative management of elections, traditional institutions had an important role in ensuring peaceful voting and discouraging electoral violence.
The chairman also disclosed that the Commission was collaborating with security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to protect electoral personnel and infrastructure.
He cited the recent arrest of alleged kingpins behind the kidnapping of National Youth Service Corps members, who constitute a significant part of INEC’s ad hoc electoral workforce, as an indication of ongoing security efforts.
Amupitan assured the people of the South-East that the Commission remained committed to neutrality, transparency and procedural fairness, promising that every valid vote cast would be accurately reflected in the final results.
Responding, Asadu pledged the support of traditional rulers for INEC’s preparations, particularly in encouraging residents who had registered as voters but were yet to collect their PVCs to do so.
The visit featured the presentation of kola nuts and traditional ornaments to the INEC chairman in accordance with Igbo customs. Amupitan, in return, presented a plaque and souvenirs to the traditional rulers’ council.
Amupitan Warns INEC Staff Against Partisanship Ahead of 2027 Polls
Meanwhile, Amupitan has charged INEC staff to maintain neutrality, professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their duties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He gave the directive during an engagement with staff at the Commission’s Enugu State headquarters on Monday, stressing that the credibility of the elections would depend partly on the conduct and commitment of electoral personnel.
The chairman disclosed that preparations were progressing, with some non-sensitive election materials already arriving, contracts awarded for the upgrading of facilities, and procurement of vehicles and additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) underway.
He said the configuration of the BVAS devices and training of personnel would begin soon, with the exercise covering provisions of the new Electoral Act and the guidelines for the 2027 elections.
Amupitan warned staff against any association or conduct that could compromise public confidence in their impartiality.
“You don’t belong to any political party, and you should not be seen with any politician. You should be seen to be neutral,” he said, adding that electoral personnel were required to swear an oath of neutrality before elections.
He urged staff to demonstrate professionalism in their words and actions, understand their responsibilities and discharge their duties diligently.
According to him, the Commission would not tolerate misconduct capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process, adding that staff would be held accountable for their actions.
“Accountability is paramount. We need to guard against any act that would undermine the sanctity of the election. There is a reward for good work and consequences for misconduct,” he said.
The INEC chairman further disclosed that the Commission was working to ensure timely deployment of election materials, activation of Registration Area Centres (RACs) and commencement of voting across polling units nationwide.
He said INEC was also collaborating with security agencies to protect its personnel, electoral infrastructure and voters, while addressing threats against regular and ad hoc staff.
Amupitan emphasised the need for transparent and efficient result management, urging the Information and Communication Technology and Voter Registry units to remain prepared for their responsibilities.
On staff welfare, he said the Commission was working towards implementing an approved new salary structure for its personnel, which he said took effect from January 2026, alongside other measures to improve staff welfare.
He expressed confidence that the commitment of INEC personnel to neutrality, professionalism and accountability would contribute to the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
