The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has warned that anyone who threatens, intimidates or attacks the Commission's personnel will face the full consequences of the law ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan gave the warning on Saturday, October 31, 2026, during the South-South Zonal Readiness Assessment and Interactive Staff Engagement held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He said the Commission would not tolerate attacks against its ad-hoc staff, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members or permanent employees, adding that their safety remained essential to conducting credible elections.
According to the INEC chairman, security challenges would not weaken the Commission's determination to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities. He warned that "anyone who attempts to harm electoral workers would be prosecuted."
Amupitan explained that the South-South engagement was the fifth zonal assessment conducted by the Commission, following similar exercises in the South-West, North-West, South-East and North-East geopolitical zones.
He said INEC had adopted a field-focused strategy to strengthen electoral preparations, adding that credible elections required effective coordination across all 123 Local Government Areas in the six South-South states.
On election security, the chairman disclosed that the Commission had moved away from relying on election-day security arrangements towards an early-warning and intelligence-driven approach known as the ICCES Tentacle.
He explained that the framework would strengthen cooperation among security agencies from the national and state levels down to local governments and Registration Area Centres. Its major priorities include identifying threats, protecting electoral personnel and ensuring voters have safe access to polling units.
Amupitan disclosed that about 60 major operational formations, headquarters and state commands were involved in the security arrangement under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES. The network comprises military, naval, air force, police and other security agencies operating across the South-South.
He said the region had "15,823,550 registered voters, representing 15.30 per cent of Nigeria's national voter register. Rivers State alone accounts for 3,736,434 registered voters spread across 23 local government areas."
Providing an update on preparations, Amupitan said INEC had "completed nine out of the 14 major statutory activities outlined in its timetable for the 2027 elections."
Amupitan noted that the exercise would cover more than 103 million registered voters and 176,846 polling units nationwide. The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
The chairman also disclosed that INEC had concluded an agreement with the Maritime Transporters Union to facilitate the safe and timely movement of election personnel and materials to riverine and coastal communities. He added that operational pickup vehicles had been distributed to state and local government offices to improve logistics.
On staff welfare, Amupitan said the Commission had introduced the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure, effective January 1, 2026. He also announced a 150 per cent increase in monthly overhead allocations to state offices, which took effect on July 1, 2026.
He urged electoral officers to maintain professionalism, neutrality and discipline, warning that negligence, absenteeism, financial misconduct and partisan behaviour would attract serious sanctions. He also cautioned that poor administrative performance, including late opening of polling units and unresolved technological challenges, could encourage misinformation and damage public confidence.
The INEC chairman reminded staff of the provisions of Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates an Oath of Neutrality. He urged them to follow electoral laws and guidelines in carrying out their duties, adding that the Commission would not compromise its standards.
2027: 'There'll be consequences' - Amupitan warns against attack on INEC officials