The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has charged Administrative Secretaries and other officials of the commission to uphold integrity, neutrality and professionalism as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan gave the charge during a strategic capacity-building workshop organised for INEC Administrative Secretaries and other South-West zonal staff in Lagos, where he emphasised the critical role of election officials in ensuring credible electoral processes.
The INEC chairman said the quality of the commission’s preparations and election-day operations would largely depend on the commitment and effectiveness of its personnel at the state level.
According to him, Administrative Secretaries remain central to the success of the commission’s operations, describing them as the “engine room” of INEC’s activities across the states.
“You, Administrative Secretaries, are the engine room of our state operations. The synergy between you and your Resident Electoral Commissioner will determine the smooth execution of the 2027 General Elections in your respective states,” Amupitan said.
He urged them to pay attention to operational details, warning that tolerance for shortcuts and political interference could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
“If you tolerate shortcuts, shortcuts will multiply. If you tolerate political interference, neutrality will deteriorate. If you insist on documentation, documentation will become institutional culture,” he stated.
The INEC chairman further urged the officials to promote punctuality, preparedness, compliance and transparency within their various offices, saying administrative culture would significantly influence election delivery.
He charged them to identify state-specific challenges, understand their responsibilities and work closely with Resident Electoral Commissioners to ensure effective coordination.
Speaking during an interactive session with South-West staff, Amupitan reminded INEC officials that their conduct would be closely watched by Nigerians and the international community.
“We must remain above suspicion, for the eyes of over 200 million Nigerians and indeed the world are fixed upon us. A flawed election process is a wound to the nation’s soul,” he said.
Amupitan stressed that electoral laws alone could not guarantee credible elections unless officials responsible for implementation acted with fairness and professionalism.
“A beautifully drafted Electoral Act cannot by itself guarantee integrity. An independent Electoral Commission cannot by itself guarantee public confidence. The credibility of an election depends significantly on how faithfully the law is implemented by the officials entrusted with its administration.”
He urged INEC personnel to remain neutral, understand electoral laws, properly document their actions and protect the integrity of the commission.
The chairman noted that every administrative decision taken by electoral officials could be subjected to public scrutiny and judicial review, making accountability essential ahead of the 2027 polls.
While acknowledging the complexity of conducting elections in Nigeria, Amupitan expressed confidence in the commission’s ability to deliver credible elections through commitment, technology and adherence to the law.
“The road to 2027 begins here, and we shall not falter,” he said.
