The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the results of the 2027 general elections will not be decided before voters cast their ballots, as the commission prepares to conduct free, fair and credible polls.
Amupitan gave the assurance in Owerri, Imo State, while speaking at the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, where participants discussed plans for providing adequate security during elections.
The INEC chairman said the commission was working with security agencies to prevent violence and ensure that eligible Nigerians are able to participate in the elections without fear or intimidation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by INEC’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, Amupitan identified insecurity in some parts of the country as one of the major issues that could affect the 2027 elections.
He said security challenges in certain states could prevent voters from reaching polling units and create situations where some Nigerians are unable to exercise their right to vote.
Amupitan said INEC was therefore working closely with the Nigeria Police Force, which has the leading role in election security, to develop measures for protecting voters, electoral officials and other participants in areas affected by insecurity.
The chairman also expressed concern about the nature of political campaigns in the country, particularly the growing attention given to individuals instead of the policies and programmes they intend to pursue.
He called on political parties and their candidates to focus their campaigns on issues and avoid personal attacks or statements aimed at damaging the reputation of opponents.
Amupitan further disclosed that INEC was working with law enforcement agencies to deal with violations of the Electoral Act. He said people found to have breached electoral laws would be subject to investigation and prosecution by the appropriate authorities.
On disputes arising from political party primaries, the INEC chairman explained that such matters would be determined through the courts. He said ongoing legal cases would not stop the 2027 elections from taking place.
According to him, the Electoral Act provides a legal process through which disputes over party primaries can be challenged and appealed through the courts, including the highest court in the country.
He also explained that elections are organised around political parties rather than individual candidates. As a result, disputes involving particular candidates would not automatically prevent the affected political party from participating in the elections.
Amupitan said INEC would follow whatever final decisions are reached by the courts on matters relating to party primaries.
The chairman also spoke about vote buying, saying the commission was working to improve its intelligence-gathering system because the practice increasingly occurs outside polling centres and may be arranged before election day.
He said INEC was considering the establishment of a joint task force involving the Federal Ministry of Justice, the office of the Attorney-General and relevant security agencies to strengthen efforts against electoral offences.
Amupitan explained that INEC does not have the authority to arrest or investigate suspects, making cooperation with law enforcement agencies necessary in dealing with electoral crimes.
He also disclosed that the commission was working to improve election logistics and the management of results by addressing weaknesses identified during previous elections.
The INEC chairman said lessons from recent off-cycle elections were being used to improve preparations for the 2027 general elections. He referred to the elections held in Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory and Osun, noting that none of the five off-cycle elections conducted so far had ended with an inconclusive declaration.
According to him, INEC had reviewed the experience from each election and applied the lessons learned to subsequent electoral exercises.
Amupitan said the commission’s efforts were also aimed at rebuilding public confidence in the electoral process and assuring Nigerians that their votes would be properly handled.
He maintained that INEC would continue its preparations for the 2027 general elections with the goal of conducting an election that is transparent, fair, credible and open to all eligible voters.