The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, has declared that the electoral body will not tolerate any violence directed at election workers or corps members deployed for the upcoming 2027 general elections. Speaking in Port Harcourt during a South-South zonal interactive meeting and readiness assessment, Amupitan emphasized that perpetrators of assaults or intimidation against field personnel would face the full weight of the law.
Amupitan explained that the commission is actively coordinating with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to ensure comprehensive protection for voters, election workers, and sensitive materials. He also cautioned electoral officers across the region to maintain strict standards of impartiality, warning that professional negligence, partisanship, or financial misconduct would attract immediate disciplinary procedures.
During the strategic gathering, the INEC chairman reviewed the commission's preparations, noting that the South-South geopolitical zone accounts for over 15.8 million registered voters, with Rivers State alone holding more than 3.7 million voters. He stressed that administrative failures must not disenfranchise eligible citizens and detailed new logistical arrangements, including partnerships with maritime transport unions to facilitate the smooth delivery of materials to remote riverine and coastal communities.
Addressing technological readiness, Amupitan confirmed that the commission is preparing newly procured Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices and conducting audits on electronic result management systems to bolster transparency through the INEC Result Viewing portal. He also highlighted improvements in staff welfare, pointing to enhanced hazard allowances and increased operational funding designed to motivate personnel ahead of the nationwide ballot.
Source reporting: Leadership — 2026-10-31 17:05:23
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