The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has completed its nationwide operational readiness assessment ahead of the 2027 general elections, with nine of the 14 major statutory milestones on the election timetable already executed….
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has completed its nationwide operational readiness assessment ahead of the 2027 general elections, with nine of the 14 major statutory milestones on the election timetable already executed.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Friday in Lokoja, Kogi State, during the North-Central zonal interactive meeting with commission staff and readiness assessment for the 2027 elections.
The meeting marked the conclusion of the commission’s nationwide tour, which covered the South-West, North-West, South-East, North-East, South-South and North-Central zones.
Amupitan said the exercise was designed to identify operational weaknesses, address logistical challenges and ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised because of administrative failures.
He said the 2027 general elections would involve more than 103 million registered voters across 176,846 polling units.
The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
The INEC chairman said the commission’s recent conduct of governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, FCT Area Council elections and 16 bye-elections had provided opportunities to test its preparedness.
He, however, directed all INEC staff to suspend annual leave until after the general elections, stressing that the remaining preparations required greater commitment as the polls approached.
Amupitan warned that partisanship, negligence, financial impropriety and absenteeism would attract sanctions under Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides for a formal Oath of Neutrality for election officials.
“You are the human bridge translating the Electoral Act 2026 into democratic reality. Know the law, understand your responsibility, maintain absolute neutrality, document every action, and protect the integrity of the ballot,” he told staff.
