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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has pledged that the 2027 general elections will be free, fair, transparent, and driven by technology.
Speaking at the 2026 INEC Induction and Strategic Retreat held in Lagos from January 9 to 10, Amupitan said the commission was preparing for a rapidly evolving electoral environment and must meet Nigerians’ rising expectations.
He warned that the commission will not tolerate misconduct at any stage of the electoral process.
He described INEC officials as custodians of the people’s mandate and said the retreat was designed to align institutional experience with the innovative demands of modern elections.
Amupitan commended INEC staff for their handling of the November 2025 Anambra State governorship election, which he said marked an important early test of his leadership.
He noted that preparations for the 2027 polls would pass through key electoral milestones, including the February 2026 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections and off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
According to him, these polls would serve as testing grounds to fine-tune the commission’s technical, logistical and operational readiness.
The INEC chair outlined five non-negotiable pillars that would guide the commission’s work: free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections, adding that the process must be open to all Nigerians regardless of physical ability or location.
“We are here to organise elections that are free from any form of interference; fair to all contestants and political parties; credible in the eyes of the global community; transparent in every process… and inclusive of every Nigerian, regardless of physical ability or location.”
He also highlighted the growing influence of young, first-time voters in 2027, stating that the commission must earn the trust of digital natives who demand real-time transparency and accountability.
On the legal framework, Amupitan stressed strict adherence to the rule of law, noting that compliance with electoral laws would be non-negotiable under his leadership.
He disclosed that the retreat would focus on 17 key thematic areas, including logistics, transportation, ad hoc staffing, voter registration, election security, and political party management.
Amupitan said INEC has an opportunity to redefine Nigeria’s electoral history, expressing confidence that the 2027 general election could become a watershed moment for democratic governance in the country.
“The 2027 General Election must be free and fair and be a watershed moment in Nigeria’s election history. Let it be said that under our watch, INEC became the best Election Management Body in Africa, a beacon of integrity, a model of technological efficiency, and a fortress of democratic values,” he declared.
