The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has directed the commission’s Administrative Secretaries across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to enforce strict operational discipline and eliminate ambiguity in preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan gave the directive on Monday in Lagos while declaring open a two-day Strategic Operational Workshop for INEC Administrative Secretaries.
Describing the officials as the “engine room” of the commission’s state-level operations, the INEC chairman said their effectiveness would be critical to the successful delivery of the 2027 elections.
He said the progress recorded in recent off-cycle elections, particularly the Osun State governorship election, must be sustained and scaled up into what he described as an “unbreakable national standard” ahead of the 2027 polls.
INEC Introduces Real-Time Operational Tracker
As part of measures to strengthen election preparedness, the commission is introducing an Administrative Secretary Master Operational Tracker Template, a data-driven tool designed to provide real-time updates on the readiness of INEC offices across the states.
The tracker will be directly linked to the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC), allowing the commission’s headquarters to monitor the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials, as well as staff training, across the country in real time.
According to Amupitan, the initiative is designed to move INEC away from reactive management towards proactive planning.
He said the system would enable the commission to identify potential operational challenges early and address them before they affect election delivery.
‘Do Not Tolerate Shortcuts’
The INEC chairman warned Administrative Secretaries against compromising established procedures or allowing political considerations to interfere with their responsibilities.
“If you tolerate shortcuts, shortcuts will multiply. If you tolerate political interference, neutrality will deteriorate,” Amupitan said.
He charged the officials to build an administrative culture capable of supporting the delivery of credible elections.
“Your responsibility is to build an administrative culture capable of delivering a credible election,” he added.
Drawing inspiration from the words of former United States Secretary of State and retired General Colin Powell, Amupitan stressed that electoral success would depend largely on thorough preparation, hard work and the willingness to learn from previous failures.
He urged the Administrative Secretaries to approach the 2027 election preparations with discipline, accountability and a strong commitment to the commission’s mandate.
