The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has instructed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs across Nigeria) to intensify voter education and awareness campaigns ahead of future elections.
Amupitan issued the directive at a Wednesday meeting in Abuja with RECs, coming on the heels of the recently concluded Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election, as well as bye‑elections in Kano and Rivers states.
The session also included the formal swearing‑in of the new REC for Abia State, Dr. Chukwu Chukwu‑Emeka Joseph.
While noting a modest increase in voter participation in the FCT polls — rising from 9.4 per cent in 2022 to about 15 per cent with over *239,000 ballots cast — Amupitan expressed concern that voter apathy remains a significant challenge.
He emphasised that even strong electoral policies are ineffective if citizens do not understand electoral processes and their rights.
“In many states, voter engagement remains low. There is still considerable work to be done to deepen voter confidence and participation,” he said, urging continued voter sensitisation not only during election periods but as an ongoing effort.
The INEC chairman highlighted the importance of early voter verification and encouraged citizens to use the commission’s online Polling Unit Locator and, where possible, visit their polling units ahead of Election Day.
Amupitan also warned against complacency and misconduct among electoral staff, stating that indiscipline — including failure to report for duty or tardiness — will attract sanctions.
He stressed that credible elections are not only about declarations but about consistent performance at every level, including prompt opening of polling units and transparent result management.
Addressing logistical challenges during the FCT election, Amupitan flagged that only 45 per cent of polling stations opened by 8:30 a.m., although 100 per cent were operational by 10:00 a.m.
He described the initial delay as unacceptable and said disciplinary actions have begun, citing queries issued to staff in the Kuje Area Council and Kabusa Ward, and the blacklisting of a transporter in Kwali Area Council over delays.
With the enactment of the new Electoral Act 2026, the commission is expected to release a revised timetable for the 2027 General Election and begin a clean‑up of the voters’ register in preparation.
Amupitan also outlined measures to safeguard election results from manipulation, noting that the commission has strengthened its result management system.
He said presiding officers must upload Form EC8A directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal and enter party scores into the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which automatically validates entries and flags inconsistencies such as over‑voting.
The INEC chairman admitted that no election is flawless but emphasised that heightened public scrutiny underscores the need for excellence and error‑free processes.
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria — represented by its Chairman, Mamman Nda Eri — pledged closer cooperation with INEC to strengthen electoral administration at the local government level through joint training and knowledge‑sharing initiatives.