The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Monday 7th September 2026 commenced its nationwide readiness assessment tour for the 2027 General Elections, with a charge to staff to uphold neutrality, discipline, and operational excellence.
The tour kicked off in Lagos with a South-West Zonal Interactive Meeting with staff of the Commission.
Speaking at the event, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, said the Commission was breaking with tradition by taking its preparations directly to the field instead of coordinating only from Abuja.
“It is decided in the field. It is determined in the Local Government Areas, in the Registration Area Centres, and at the polling units by the Electoral Officers and administrative staff who handle the raw mechanics of our democracy,” he said.
Prof. Amupitan described the 2027 elections as a “simultaneous national assignment” across 36 states and the FCT. He announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
He warned that the biggest challenge facing INEC was not logistics but a “lingering trust deficit, voter apathy, and the rising tide of misinformation and disinformation.”
“False narratives only gain traction when our administrative execution falters. The conduct, competence, and character of our staff in the field are either our strongest defense against fake news, or its biggest catalyst,” he stated.
The Chairman said the Commission has already registered 10,772,421 Nigerians in three phases of Continuous Voter Registration between August 2025 and July 2026. He added that for the first time, INEC introduced an Online Registration Portal and Printable PVCs, which were piloted in the Osun off-cycle election.
He stressed that with the voters’ register approaching 100 million, the Commission must ensure “no eligible Nigerian is disenfranchised by logistics.”
Prof. Amupitan also warned staff against partisan leaning, negligence, or compromised ethics, citing Section 26 of the Electoral Act which mandates an oath of neutrality for all election officials.
“Where the law provides a procedure, follow the procedure. Where the Commission has issued a lawful guideline, follow it,” he said.
Welcoming participants, the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ayobami Salami, said credibility is built through early preparation, competent personnel, and effective coordination.
He noted that while South-West states share commonalities, each has unique demographic, security, and logistical challenges that must be addressed ahead of 2027.
“Technology, logistics, and procedures can only deliver effectively when the people responsible for deploying them are adequately prepared and committed to the values of the Commission,” Prof. Salami said.
He urged staff to use the engagement to speak frankly, identify gaps, and share best practices.
The meeting, held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, was attended by National Commissioners, RECs from South-West states, Directors, Administrative Secretaries, Electoral Officers and other senior staff.
Prof. Amupitan declared the South-West Zonal Staff Engagement and 2027 General Election Readiness Assessment officially open.
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