The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has assured Nigerians that every valid vote cast in the 2027 general elections will be counted accurately, urging staff of the commission to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Amupitan gave the assurance on Friday during an interactive session with the commission’s management and staff at its Niger State headquarters in Minna, according to a statement issued by the electoral body.
He said Nigerians, as well as the international community, were closely watching the commission’s preparations, stressing that every staff member had a crucial role to play in safeguarding the credibility of the country’s democracy.
“We are ambassadors of this institution, and we cannot afford to fail. The whole world, not just Nigerians, is looking up to INEC. We must conduct the election in a highly professional manner,” he said.
The INEC chairman disclosed that the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027.
He said the commission was strengthening its logistics, transport fleet and operational infrastructure nationwide, adding that lessons learnt from previous elections were shaping preparations for the 2027 polls.
Amupitan warned staff against misconduct and corruption, saying the commission would reward diligence and outstanding performance while imposing stiff sanctions on anyone found compromising the electoral process.
“There should be no compromise whatsoever. We have decided to introduce rewards for hard work, but if there is any misconduct, there will be serious consequences. Work hard, work selflessly, shun corruption and let us give Nigerians what they truly desire,” he added.
The INEC chairman also said the commission had begun reviewing staff welfare packages across the country to boost morale and improve productivity, noting that staff welfare had remained one of his top priorities since assuming office.
During the visit, he monitored the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise at the commission’s headquarters in Minna.
West Trybe reports that INEC has intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections through the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise, improvements in election logistics and technology, staff welfare reforms and broader stakeholder engagements aimed at strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
