The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive, as it intensifies institutional preparations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the Commission is deliberately strengthening its leadership capacity, operational systems and institutional coherence in response to rising public expectations of the electoral process.
Amupitan spoke on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the opening of a two-day Induction and Strategic Retreat for newly appointed Chairman, National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), held in Lagos.
He stressed that early planning, strategic coordination and strict adherence to the rule of law will be critical to the credibility of the 2027 polls.
While describing the 2027 General Election as INEC’s ultimate objective, the Chairman noted that the Commission must first successfully conduct several key electoral activities, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February 2026, as well as the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
According to him, these elections will serve as vital testing grounds for improving voter register management, election logistics and the deployment of technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Amupitan outlined five non-negotiable pillars guiding INEC’s mandate: elections free from interference, fairness to all political parties and candidates, credibility in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community, transparency across all stages of the process, and inclusivity to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.
He also highlighted the growing population of young, first-time voters ahead of 2027, describing them as digitally savvy citizens who demand real-time transparency and have little tolerance for opacity.
According to the INEC Chairman, earning the trust of this demographic requires systems that are inclusive, technologically sound and beyond reproach, adding that credibility achieved in 2027 would translate into long-term confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
On the legal framework, Amupitan assured that the Commission will continue to operate strictly within the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and any subsequent amendments, emphasizing that respect for the rule of law remains fundamental to INEC’s operations.
He warned that any compromise of established values, procedures or ethical standards under his leadership would attract consequences.
The Chairman explained that the retreat will deliberate on 17 critical thematic areas aimed at strengthening election management. These include election logistics and personnel deployment, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and revalidation, election security and inter-agency collaboration, political party regulation, internal party democracy and campaign finance transparency, election result management, and the training of election personnel.
He added that the programme is designed to induct new Commission members and RECs into INEC’s institutional framework, administrative structure, communication channels and ethical standards, while also familiarising them with electoral laws, amendments and election tribunal procedures.
According to Amupitan, experienced state-level implementers will also share lessons from off-cycle elections, bye-elections and other electoral activities, with insights expected to improve the integrity of the voter register, election logistics, personnel training and the Election Result Management System ahead of 2027.
Reaffirming his commitment to staff welfare, the INEC Chairman assured that while excellence will be demanded, the Commission will continue to provide the tools and enabling environment necessary for optimal performance.
He urged INEC’s leadership to break down institutional silos, promote open communication and remain united in restoring and sustaining public trust in the electoral process.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami, welcomed participants to Lagos, describing the retreat as a significant milestone in INEC’s continuous institutional evolution.
Salami said the engagement offers a platform for reflection, strategic alignment and institutional consolidation at a time when public expectations of the electoral process are higher than ever.
He emphasized that early planning, coordination and institutional cohesion are indispensable as the Commission advances towards the 2027 General Election.
Also speaking, the Director of Planning and Monitoring, Mrs. Helen Ajayi, outlined the objectives of the retreat, explaining that newly appointed members are being inducted into INEC’s institutional framework and legal architecture, while providing opportunities for experience sharing among state-level implementers of electoral policies.
She noted that the engagement is expected to strengthen INEC’s capacity as a cohesive and effective Election Management Body, capable of delivering credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.
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