The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed its officials to close operational gaps and maintain strict neutrality as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
The Commission has also announced that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will commence on October 9, 2026.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the directive on Monday in Kaduna during the North-West Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment for the 2027 General Election.
The engagement forms part of INEC’s six-zone national tour aimed at assessing the Commission’s preparedness, identifying challenges affecting field operations and developing solutions ahead of the elections.
Amupitan said the exercise was intended to strengthen the foundations of the electoral process, stressing that effective election administration depended significantly on activities at the grassroots.
“The true success of any election is not decided solely in the meeting rooms of our headquarters in Abuja. It is decided in the field,” he said.
The INEC chairman urged officials to use the engagement to identify practical challenges affecting election administration in their respective areas and work with the Commission’s headquarters to resolve them before election day.
He said INEC was drawing lessons from recent elections as it prepared for the larger national assignment in 2027.
Amupitan also warned officials against partisan conduct and administrative negligence, stressing that neutrality and professionalism among field personnel would be essential to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
He said the Commission’s focus remained on ensuring that avoidable operational weaknesses did not undermine the conduct of the 2027 elections.
INEC’s official election timetable provides dates for the 2027 general elections, with the Commission continuing its readiness activities and voter-related preparations ahead of the polls.
