2027 election results will not be predetermined – INEC Chair Amupitan

The chairman of Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured the public that the 2027 general election results will not be predetermined. Speaking at the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Owerri, he emphasized the commission's commitment to holding transparent, free, and credible elections.

Amupitan highlighted insecurity in various regions of the country as a significant challenge, stressing that it could lead to disenfranchisement of Nigerians. To address this issue, INEC is working with the Nigeria Police Force to develop safety measures for elections in affected areas. The INEC leader also cautioned against the emphasis on personalities rather than policies during political campaigns, urging all parties to focus on issues and avoid personal attacks.

INEC is collaborating with law enforcement agencies to ensure that violators of the Electoral Act face prosecution. Concerning disputes arising from political party primaries, Amupitan stated that these matters would be resolved through the courts and would not hinder the 2027 elections. He also noted that INEC is enhancing its intelligence-gathering capabilities to counteract vote-buying, which increasingly takes place outside polling stations.

The INEC chairman mentioned the creation of a joint task force involving the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Attorney-General's office, and security agencies to tackle this issue. Amupitan reiterated INEC's dedication to improving logistics and managing election results based on lessons learned from previous elections, including off-cycle polls in Anambra, FCT, and Osun.

The commission is committed to restoring public confidence in the electoral process and delivering a free, fair, credible, and inclusive 2027 general election.