The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), has assured Nigerians that the 2027 General Election will be free, fair, transparent and powered by technology, stressing that the Commission will not tolerate any form of misconduct.
Amupitan gave the assurance in Lagos during INEC’s 2026 Induction and Strategic Retreat held from January 9 to 10, saying the Commission must adapt to a fast-changing electoral environment and meet the rising expectations of citizens.
He described INEC officials as custodians of the people’s mandate, noting that the retreat was aimed at blending institutional experience with innovation required for modern elections.
The INEC chairman commended staff for their performance in the November 2025 Anambra governorship election, describing it as an important early achievement of his tenure.
He explained that preparations for the 2027 polls would include key electoral milestones such as the February 2026 FCT Area Council elections and off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, which he said would serve as critical tests of the Commission’s readiness.
According to Amupitan, INEC’s work will be guided by five non-negotiable principles: elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive.
He emphasised the importance of inclusivity, transparency and strict adherence to the rule of law, declaring that under his leadership, the law would form the foundation of all INEC operations.
Highlighting the growing influence of young, first-time voters in 2027, Amupitan said INEC must earn the trust of digitally savvy Nigerians who expect openness and real-time transparency.
He disclosed that the retreat would focus on 17 key areas, including logistics, voter registration, election security, ad-hoc staffing, transportation and political party regulation, to ensure flawless preparation ahead of 2027.
Amupitan said INEC had a rare opportunity to redefine Nigeria’s electoral history, expressing his ambition for the Commission to emerge as Africa’s leading election management body, built on integrity, efficiency and democratic values.
He warned that any violation of INEC’s standards would attract sanctions, insisting there would be no room for compromise in the electoral process.
In his remarks, Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Ayobami Salami, said the retreat marked another step in strengthening INEC’s leadership capacity and operational readiness, urging officials to match rising public expectations with professionalism, early planning and strong institutional cohesion.