The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has warned electoral officers against showing support for any political party ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. He issued the warning during a readiness assessment visit to Enugu State on Monday, October 19, 2026, stressing that strict neutrality, professionalism and accountability are essential to credible elections.
Amupitan said INEC was strengthening its preparations through the procurement of election materials and vehicles, facility upgrades, improved logistics and staff training. He disclosed that some sensitive election materials had started arriving and that training programmes would begin soon to prepare personnel for changes introduced by the new Electoral Act and the commission’s electoral guidelines. He also warned that misconduct capable of undermining the integrity of the polls would not be tolerated.
During the visit, the INEC chairman met with the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, to seek the support of traditional institutions for peaceful elections. He urged traditional rulers to encourage residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), tackle voter apathy and vote-selling, and discourage inflammatory statements and electoral violence within their communities.
Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to transparency and procedural fairness, assuring voters that every valid vote cast in Enugu State and across the South-East would be accurately reflected in the final results. Traditional rulers pledged their support for peaceful elections and voter participation, while the commission continued its nationwide assessment of operational readiness ahead of the 2027 polls.
Daily times
