Security and Stability Vital for Election Integrity, Says INEC’s Amupitan

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has emphasized that national security and stability are the indispensable pillars of electoral integrity in Nigeria. INEC Chairman noted that no matter how advanced the commission's technology or administrative preparations are, the success of the 2027 General Elections will ultimately depend on a peaceful environment that allows voters to exercise their franchise without fear.

He pointed out that "security is the lifeblood of the democratic process," stressing that widespread insecurity, if left unchecked, could undermine public confidence and lead to a further decline in voter turnout—a trend the commission is currently working to reverse through its ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which is set to enter its final phases by mid-year.

The INEC Chairman also used the opportunity to call for deeper collaboration between the commission and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). He argued that the integrity of the ballot begins with the protection of electoral personnel, materials, and voters at the polling units. As the nation prepares for upcoming governorship contests in Ekiti (June 2026) and Osun (August 2026), Amupitan reaffirmed that safeguarding the electoral landscape is a collective national responsibility that extends beyond the commission to security agencies, political parties, and civil society.

Do you think the security agencies have shown enough improvement in recent off-cycle elections to give Nigerians confidence for 2027? Share your comments below!

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