ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has charged the commission’s staff to uphold neutrality, professionalism and integrity, warning that the conduct of officials will determine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan said the attention of more than 200 million Nigerians and the international community would be focused on the commission, urging its officials to ensure that every stage of the electoral process was conducted in strict compliance with the law.
According to Vanguard, he spoke in Lagos during a strategic capacity-building workshop for Administrative Secretaries and other South-West zonal staff of the commission.
The INEC chairman described Administrative Secretaries as the “engine room” of the commission’s operations at the state level, stressing that their effectiveness and cooperation with Resident Electoral Commissioners would be critical to successful election delivery.
According to him, officials must create an administrative culture where compliance, proper documentation, punctuality and preparedness are prioritised.
READ ALSO Court Cancels INEC 2027 Election Timetable Deadlines
“You, Administrative Secretaries, are the engine room of our state operations. The synergy between you and your Resident Electoral Commissioner will determine the smooth execution of the 2027 General Elections in your respective states,” Amupitan said.
He warned that tolerating shortcuts or political interference could undermine the neutrality of the electoral body.
“If you tolerate shortcuts, shortcuts will multiply. If you tolerate political interference, neutrality will deteriorate. If you insist on documentation, documentation will become institutional culture,” he said.
Amupitan also urged officials to create an environment where electoral officers could report problems openly rather than conceal them, stressing that constructive responses to operational challenges were essential to effective election management.
He said the responsibility of INEC officials extended beyond administrative procedures, as they were the ones who translated electoral laws into actual practice.
READ ALSO Appeal Court Reinstates INEC’s 2027 Election Timetable
Addressing South-West staff during a separate interactive session, the chairman said every decision taken by an electoral official could be subjected to public scrutiny and judicial review.
“We must remain above suspicion, for the eyes of over 200 million Nigerians and indeed the world are fixed upon us. A flawed election process is a wound to the nation’s soul; let us ensure that under our watch, that soul remains vibrant and intact,” he said.
Amupitan argued that even a well-written Electoral Act and an independent electoral commission could not, on their own, guarantee public confidence in an election.
“It is the officials of the Commission who translate the language of legislation into electoral reality,” he said.
He consequently urged staff to familiarise themselves with electoral laws, understand their responsibilities and remain neutral throughout the process.
READ ALSO INEC Declares Oyebanji Winner Of Ekiti Guber Election
The INEC chairman also charged officials to properly document their actions and ensure that their decisions and conduct at every stage of the electoral process could withstand public and legal scrutiny.
He said the commission recognised the enormous challenge of conducting elections in a country as large and diverse as Nigeria, but expressed confidence in its preparedness for the task.
“Conducting seamless elections in a nation as vast and vibrant as Nigeria remains a herculean task, but it is a task we are uniquely prepared for,” Amupitan said.
He called on the officials to approach the 2027 elections with courage and commitment, guided by the law and supported by technology.
“The road to 2027 begins here, and we shall not falter,” he added.