The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive, as it intensifies institutional preparations towards the 2027 general election.

The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said INEC is deliberately strengthening its leadership capacity, operational systems, and institutional coherence in response to rising public expectations of the electoral process.

He emphasized that early planning, strategic coordination, and strict adherence to the rule of law will be crucial to the credibility of the 2027 General Election.

The remarks were made on Friday, 9th January 2026, at the opening of a two-day Induction and Strategic Retreat organised by the Commission for newly appointed Chairman, National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners, held in Lagos.

Amupitan noted that while the 2027 general election remains INEC’s ultimate goal, the Commission must first successfully navigate several key electoral milestones. These include the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Council Elections scheduled for February 2026, as well as the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

According to him, these elections will serve as important testing grounds for refining voter registry management, election logistics and the deployment of technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS.

He outlined five non-negotiable pillars guiding the Commission’s mandate: elections free from interference, fairness to all political parties and candidates, credibility in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community, transparency across all stages of the electoral process, and inclusivity to ensure that no eligible Nigerian is disenfranchised.

The INEC chairman drew attention to the growing population of young, first-time voters ahead of 2027, describing them as digitally savvy citizens who demand transparency in real time and have little tolerance for opacity.

He said earning the trust of this demographic requires systems that are inclusive, technologically sound and beyond reproach, noting that credibility established in 2027 would translate into long-term confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

Emphasising the legal framework governing elections, Amupitan assured that the Commission will continue to operate strictly within the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and any subsequent amendments.

He stated that under his leadership, respect for the rule of law remains fundamental to INEC’s operations and decision-making, warning that any compromise of established values or procedures will attract consequences.

He explained that the retreat is structured to deliberate on 17 critical thematic areas aimed at strengthening election management.

These include logistics and personnel deployment, Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, and revalidation, election security and inter-agency collaboration, political party regulation, internal party democracy and campaign finance transparency, election result management, and the training of election personnel.

Amupitan further noted that the engagement is designed to induct newly appointed Commission members and Resident Electoral Commissioners into INEC’s institutional framework, administrative structure, communication processes and ethical standards.

Participants are also being familiarised with the legal framework for elections, electoral amendments, as well as the timelines and procedures of election tribunals.

According to him, the retreat provides an opportunity for experienced state-level implementers of the Commission’s policies and programmes to share lessons from off-cycle elections, bye-elections and other electoral activities.

These insights, he said, will inform strategies to improve the integrity of the voter register, election logistics, personnel training and the Election Result Management System ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Reaffirming his commitment to staff welfare, the INEC Chairman assured that while excellence will be demanded, the Commission will continue to provide the tools and enabling environment required for optimal performance.

He urged the Commission’s leadership to break down institutional silos, promote open communication and emerge united in restoring and sustaining public trust in the electoral process.

Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami, welcomed participants to Lagos, describing the retreat as a significant milestone in the Commission’s continuous institutional evolution.

Salami said the engagement provides a platform for reflection, strategic alignment and institutional consolidation at a time when public expectations of the electoral process are higher than ever.

He emphasised that early planning, coordination and institutional cohesion are indispensable as the Commission advances towards the 2027 General Election.

He added that beyond enhancing technical knowledge, the retreat offers opportunities for peer interaction, leadership bonding and cross-fertilisation of ideas that will strengthen INEC as a cohesive and effective Election Management Body.

The Lagos REC congratulated the newly appointed Chairman, National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners, urging all participants to engage fully in the sessions and contribute meaningfully to discussions aimed at building an electoral system that inspires confidence and upholds Nigeria’s democratic aspirations.

Outlining the objectives of the retreat, the Director of Planning and Monitoring, Mrs Helen Ajayi, explained that new members will be inducted into INEC’s institutional framework, familiarizing them with the legal and administrative architecture of elections and providing a platform for experience sharing among implementers of electoral policies at the state level.