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| Professor Joash Amupitan SAN |
The Chair of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan SAN, has reaffirmed the electoral body’s commitment to delivering a free, fair and transparent general election in 2027, with a strong emphasis on technology to enhance credibility and public confidence.
Speaking on Friday at INEC’s 2026 Induction and Strategic Retreat in Lagos a two-day event for senior commissioners and officials, Prof. Amupitan said the commission recognises the rapidly changing expectations of Nigerian voters and the need to modernise the electoral process.
“We are not merely electoral administrators; we are stewards of the Nigerian people’s will,” he said, stressing that the commission would tolerate no misconduct and would uphold the rule of law throughout the election cycle.
Prof. Amupitan outlined five core principles to guide INEC’s work: elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive. He highlighted the role of technology as central to achieving these goals, noting that innovation must complement, not replace, integrity and accountability.
With millions of young, first-time voters expected at the polls, the INEC chair said the commission must meet the demands of a more informed and tech-savvy electorate. “These young citizens expect openness in real time, they have little patience for opacity,” he added.
Prof. Amupitan also pointed to recent electoral exercises including the November 2025 governorship election in Anambra State as valuable tests that helped sharpen INEC’s logistical and operational capabilities.
The retreat agenda covered key areas such as voter registration and revalidation, logistics planning, election security and political party management, aimed at ensuring all technical and administrative systems are fully prepared ahead of the national polls.
While the commission intends to embrace technological tools such as biometric voter accreditation and electronic result transmission, analysts caution that technology alone cannot guarantee electoral credibility without robust institutional support and effective safeguards.
Prof. Amupitan described the 2027 election as an opportunity for INEC to rewrite Nigeria’s electoral history, transforming the body into a benchmark electoral management institution not just domestically, but across Africa. He warned that any breach of INEC values would attract sanctions and urged staff to work collaboratively to achieve these ambitions.
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the international community and local stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see whether these commitments translate into concrete improvements in electoral integrity.
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