Credible election only way to build trust, Amupitan tells INEC staff

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan (SAN), has urged personnel of the electoral body to rise to the responsibility of organising credible elections, stressing that only transparent polls can rebuild public confidence in the commission.

Amupitan said restoring trust in the commission remains a priority as preparations gradually begin for the 2027 general elections. According to him, strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions depends largely on the ability of the commission to conduct elections that reflect the will of the electorate.

The INEC chairman spoke on Friday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, when he met staff at the commission’s state secretariat following an inspection of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise in several local government areas.

He explained that the commission intends to work closely with the National Population Commission and other relevant agencies to identify Nigerians who have reached voting age and encourage them to register.

“As we build up to 2027, I want to announce that we are in it together to serve Nigeria and strengthen democracy. Though INEC is already having a trust deficit, whatever we are doing in Abuja, we have to cascade it here.

“We should work hard to restore the trust. We know state congresses are ongoing and some of you are part of it — please, any activity you are handling, do it with every honesty and utmost courtesy.

“What you are doing today will determine the 2027 elections. If you want to determine the future, you create it. What we owe Nigerians is free, fair and credible elections; let their expectations be met. We want Nigerians to begin to believe in INEC, that whoever emerges is the will of the people,” he said.

Amupitan also revealed that the commission plans to carry out a voter revalidation exercise aimed at cleaning up the electoral register so that it accurately reflects eligible voters.

“The register should be sanitised,” he added.

He further called on all INEC personnel to actively promote awareness of the ongoing voter registration exercise, noting that public enlightenment should not be left solely to the commission’s Voter Education and Publicity unit.

“Encourage and galvanise them to come out while assuring them that their votes will count,” he said.