INEC CHAIRMAN ENGAGES NORTH-WEST STAFF AHEAD OF 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, has taken the Commission’s 2027 general election readiness assessment to the North-West Zone, engaging officials on measures to strengthen preparations ahead of the polls. The Kaduna meeting forms part of INEC’s six-zone nationwide exercise to assess field preparedness, identify operational challenges and develop solutions before election day.
During the engagement, officials reviewed lessons from previous elections and identified areas requiring improvement. Issues discussed included the late arrival of electoral materials, technical challenges and pockets of violence recorded in some locations, as well as voter registration, PVC collection, logistics and the deployment and management of information and communication technology.
Professor Amupitan urged INEC staff to maintain neutrality, professionalism and strict adherence to the Commission’s Code of Ethics. He stressed that effective election administration depends heavily on activities at the grassroots, particularly at local government areas, registration area centres and polling units where officials interact directly with voters.
The Commission is also intensifying preparations for the collection of newly issued Permanent Voter Cards. INEC has announced that PVC collection will commence nationwide on October 9, 2026, ahead of the 2027 elections.
As part of the Kaduna engagement, the INEC Chairman visited the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, to brief the traditional ruler on preparations for the elections and seek the support of traditional institutions in encouraging eligible citizens to participate in the electoral process.
Professor Amupitan said INEC was reviewing and strengthening its administrative, technological and logistical systems while applying lessons from previous elections. He also emphasised the importance of stakeholder engagement and public participation in ensuring that the electoral process is inclusive.
The Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, welcomed the INEC delegation and urged the Commission to address recurring challenges, particularly the timely distribution of electoral materials and the effective deployment and testing of election technology. He also called on Nigerians to cooperate with INEC, avoid violence and remain law-abiding before, during and after the elections.
The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027, according to INEC’s published timetable.