The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has called on the Commission’s staff to uphold discipline and professionalism as preparations intensify for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.
In a special message marking Eid-el-Fitr, Amupitan stressed that the virtues learned during Ramadan—such as patience, integrity, and empathy—should guide officials’ conduct, especially as INEC approaches key off-cycle elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.
He noted that the credibility of elections depends largely on the behaviour of personnel deployed nationwide, urging staff to maintain high ethical standards. According to him, the Ekiti and Osun elections will serve as critical tests of the Commission’s readiness and commitment to credible polls.
Amupitan also warned against misconduct, directing workers across the country’s 774 local government areas to adopt zero tolerance for actions that could undermine electoral integrity.
The INEC boss reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to staff welfare, emphasizing that a motivated workforce is essential to shielding the Commission from external influence. He added that recent initiatives, including an institutional iftar, were aimed at boosting morale and unity.
He further highlighted that the elections would be conducted under the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates stricter compliance with technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal.
Expressing confidence in the Commission’s preparedness, Amupitan said adherence to discipline and dedication would help deliver credible elections and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process.
