The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, has ordered the commission’s administrative secretaries across the country to maintain strict operational discipline ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan gave the directive in Lagos while opening a two day strategic workshop for the administrative secretaries, whom he described as the “engine room” of INEC’s operations at the state level.
He said the progress recorded in recent off cycle elections, particularly in Osun State, must be strengthened and made an “unbreakable national standard” for future elections.
As part of the preparations, INEC is introducing a new Administrative Secretary Master Operational Tracker Template.
The data driven system will provide real time updates on the readiness of INEC offices across the states and will be linked to the Election Monitoring and Support Centre at the commission’s headquarters.
Amupitan said the tracker would allow the commission to monitor the distribution of election materials and training of personnel while identifying problems before they affect election operations.
“If you tolerate shortcuts, shortcuts will multiply. If you tolerate political interference, neutrality will deteriorate,” Amupitan told the administrative secretaries.
He urged them to build an administrative culture capable of delivering credible elections.
The workshop is focusing on voter registration and PVC distribution, logistics, election technology, human resources and financial compliance.
INEC is also looking at ways to improve PVC collection as the national voter register approaches 100 million voters, alongside the secure handling and deployment of sensitive election materials.
The commission will review the deployment of technologies including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, INEC Results Viewing Portal and Candidate Registration and Results Management System.
The training will also cover the recruitment, screening and technology training of ad hoc election personnel, as well as financial controls and compliance with procurement rules.
Amupitan urged the administrative secretaries to identify challenges specific to their states, challenge existing assumptions and ensure their offices are fully prepared for the 2027 polls.
The 2027 general elections are scheduled to begin on January 16, with the presidential and National Assembly elections holding on that date.
Governorship and state House of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6.
INEC says about 1.4 million ad hoc personnel are expected to be deployed across more than 176,000 polling units, highlighting the scale of the preparations for the elections.
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