Praise Isioye
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has instructed its employees to stop taking annual leave to better prepare for the 2027 general elections.
On Friday in Lokoja, Kogi State, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, shared this news during the North-Central Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and an Assessment of Readiness for the upcoming elections.
Amupitan explained that the Commission is rolling out several welfare initiatives, funding adjustments, and logistical reforms to boost efficiency and ensure successful election operations.
He cautioned staff against being biased, careless, engaging in financial misconduct, or being absent from work, emphasizing that any employee who fails to comply will face appropriate consequences.
The chairman also instructed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and Administrative Secretaries to enforce strict attendance and accountability measures. He noted that conducting the elections successfully requires discipline and commitment from everyone involved.
The reforms include a revised salary structure, increased field allowances, more funding for state offices, and additional operational vehicles.
Amupitan revealed that the new Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS), which was implemented after INEC moved away from the traditional civil service pay scale, began on January 1, 2026.
He mentioned that plans are in place to secure the necessary funds to support this new salary structure.
He stated that the Commission has approved better salary, hazard, and field allowance packages for its staff, along with a 150 percent increase in monthly overhead funds for state offices, starting July 1, 2026.
Regarding logistics, the INEC chairman mentioned that operational pick-up trucks have been given to state and Local Government Area offices across the country.
He also noted that 20 Sports Utility Vehicles have been purchased for Resident Electoral Commissioners, and Administrative Secretaries will receive new vehicles as well.
Amupitan explained that these actions aim to equip personnel with the resources they need to perform their duties effectively.
In terms of technology preparations, he revealed that the Commission is setting up its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which includes 57,000 newly acquired devices to enhance voter verification and accreditation.
He added that electronic result management systems, such as the eEC8A verification platform, are being audited to guarantee clear transmission of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
The chairman also shared that the Commission has launched Printable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and a digital PVC Location Portal to make it easier for voters to access their cards.
He mentioned that the preliminary voters’ register has been made public for review, while the certified Register of Voters will be released on December 15, 2026.
To address concerns about the photographs on the preliminary register, Amupitan explained that this information needs to be verified before the final register is made public.
He emphasized that investments in technology should be matched with strict adherence to operational procedures, warning that any administrative mistakes could damage public trust in the electoral process.
Regarding election security, the INEC chairman announced a coordinated, intelligence-driven security plan under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), which he called the “ICCES Tentacle.”
He mentioned that this framework would enhance security coordination from the national level down to Local Government Areas and Registration Area Centres. The focus will be on identifying potential trouble spots, safeguarding election personnel and materials, and ensuring voters can access polling units without fear.
The agencies involved include the military, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, and Federal Road Safety Corps.
Amupitan noted that the Commission would also use Electoral Risk Management tools to spot security threats and seasonal risks ahead of election day.
He warned that anyone who threatens or attacks temporary staff, National Youth Service Corps members, or permanent staff of the Commission would face severe legal consequences.
Additionally, he pointed out misinformation, fake media content, and deepfakes created by artificial intelligence as new threats to the credibility of the 2027 elections.
He stated that the best way to combat false narratives is through transparent administration and effective field operations. He added that delays in opening polling units, technical issues, and misconduct by electoral officials could lead to public distrust.
The meeting in Lokoja marked the end of INEC’s nationwide assessment of zonal readiness, following similar meetings in the South-West, North-West, South-East, North-East, and South-South regions.
The North-Central zone, which includes Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states along with the Federal Capital Territory, has a total of 15,448,869 registered voters according to the chairman’s report.
Benue has 2,777,727 registered voters; Plateau has 2,787,273; Niger has 2,698,344; Kogi has 1,932,654; Nasarawa has 1,899,244; Kwara has 1,698,627; and the FCT has 1,655,000.
Amupitan described this region as crucial for the electoral process. He pointed out Kogi’s strategic location and its connections to nearby states.
He mentioned that the purpose of this assessment was to find operational weaknesses before election day. It aims to tackle local issues and ensure that voters are not denied their right to vote due to administrative or logistical problems.
The chairman noted that the Commission had completed nine out of the 14 key tasks in its official schedule. He added that the remaining tasks need more focus as election day gets closer.
He stated that under his leadership, INEC had held gubernatorial elections in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun states as well as Area Council elections in the FCT and 16 bye-elections. He viewed these events as chances to test and enhance operational plans.
The Presidential and National Assembly elections are set for January 16 while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6.
These elections are expected to involve over 103 million registered voters across 176,846 polling units nationwide.
Earlier on, Dr. Alhaji Shehu L. Wahab, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kogi State said that despite taking on extra duties from restoring 12 previously suppressed state constituencies, their office was ramping up preparations.
Wahab indicated that they had started internal preparations which include managing electoral risks and coordinating security while also running awareness programs for individuals with disabilities.
The chairman met with staff after visiting the Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers on Thursday. During this visit, he asked for the help of traditional leaders in getting voters involved, ensuring peaceful political participation, and addressing false information about elections.
In her speech, Mrs. Helen Ajayi, the Director of Planning and Monitoring, explained that the assessment aimed to check how ready state offices were, find any challenges in operations and logistics, boost staff motivation, and keep track of how well the Commission’s strategic plans were being put into action.
She encouraged Electoral Officers and field staff to work with the assessment teams and collaborate with the Planning and Monitoring Department to spot any issues and guarantee that planned activities are carried out effectively.
The two-day meeting included National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners, directors, Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Department, Electoral Officers, and other Commission personnel.
They discussed topics such as voter education and outreach, voter registration, technology use in communication, human resources management, electoral processes, security measures, training programs, and engaging stakeholders.
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