The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has increased its preparations for the 2027 general elections. The commission directed its nationwide staff to work together and fix operational problems.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave this order on Monday in Lagos. He spoke during a two-day workshop for Administrative Secretaries from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Amupitan called the workshop a boot camp. It tests the commission’s readiness and strengthens administrative work before the polls.
Unified Work Standards
The INEC chairman said the commission has entered a key six-month preparation period. Offices across the country must follow the same rules. The workshop removes guesswork and sets clear national procedures.
INEC is learning from recent off-cycle elections, including the Osun State governorship race. Logistics, technology, and discipline helped that election succeed. However, nationwide elections require much bigger operations. Amupitan told officials to copy successful practices across all states.
Key Roles for Administrative Secretaries
Amupitan highlighted the vital role of Administrative Secretaries. Resident Electoral Commissioners handle political leadership at the state level. Administrative Secretaries run daily office operations and manage election day delivery.
Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ayobami Salami, asked staff to fix institutional weaknesses. He said their management of staff, supplies, and funds directly impacts election success.
Fighting Low Turnout and Misinformation
INEC identified low voter turnout, lost public trust, and fake news as major threats.
Amupitan revealed that recent registration drives recorded 10,772,421 new voters. The commission will verify these figures with its automated biometric system. He shared these details at a regional planning meeting in Lagos.
INEC is now visiting field officers across all six zones. This approach changes over twenty years of headquarters-led planning. Amupitan said voters will judge INEC by its work at local polling units. He urged staff to stay neutral, professional, and honest.
New Voting Technology
INEC added an online portal during its third registration phase to help more citizens register. The commission also used new printable voter cards during the Osun election. Officials will check all data to build a reliable voter list before 2027.
