2027: No Voter Should Be Disenfranchised Over Late Arrival of Materials — Amupitan

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has directed the commission’s Electoral Logistics Committee to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised due to the late arrival of election materials during the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan gave the directive in Abuja while inaugurating the Electoral Logistics Committee (ELOC), stressing the need for early planning and effective coordination to ensure smooth electoral operations across the country.

He described logistics as one of the most critical and challenging aspects of election management, noting that the credibility of an election largely depends on the timely availability of materials and the readiness of polling units.

According to him, the inauguration of the committee marks an important step towards ensuring operational efficiency and a credible electoral process in 2027.

He explained that INEC adopted a multi-agency approach to address the complexities involved in transporting personnel and election materials across Nigeria’s diverse geographical terrain.

Amupitan noted that election logistics require the coordinated movement of sensitive and non-sensitive materials by road, air and water, making precision, security and timeliness essential.

He said the commission had commenced preparations early to identify potential challenges and implement measures to prevent disruptions during the elections.

The INEC chairman listed the committee’s responsibilities to include assessing the commission’s overall logistical requirements and developing a comprehensive plan for the storage, distribution, deployment and retrieval of election materials.

He also directed the committee to evaluate the readiness of warehouses, vehicles, transport hubs, airports and seaports, identify operational gaps and recommend appropriate solutions.

Other responsibilities include monitoring compliance with approved logistics schedules, identifying risks such as transportation bottlenecks, material shortages and security threats, as well as coordinating the secure transportation of election materials across different routes.

The committee is also expected to collaborate with relevant government agencies, transport unions, INEC departments and state offices, while submitting periodic reports and recommendations to the commission.

Amupitan announced Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (rtd.), an INEC National Commissioner, as chairperson of the committee.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, Malafa said INEC had consistently relied on inter-agency collaboration to manage complex operational responsibilities and election logistics during successive electoral cycles.

She described effective logistics management as fundamental to protecting electoral integrity and strengthening public confidence in the democratic process.

INEC, NOA Mobilise Against Voter Apathy

Meanwhile, Amupitan has urged the leadership and field officers of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify grassroots sensitisation against voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He made the call in Abuja during the flag-off of the agency’s nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign for the elections.

Addressing the agency’s management, state directors and field personnel, the INEC chairman described them as a vital link between electoral policies and public participation.

He urged the officials to take the campaign to communities across all 774 local government areas of the country, including traditional palaces, markets, places of worship, campuses and village squares.

Amupitan emphasised the importance of educating citizens on the need to participate in elections peacefully and resist practices capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.

The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, also warned that voter apathy weakens democratic participation by allowing a smaller proportion of the electorate to determine important political decisions.

Onilu stressed the need to protect lives and promote peaceful coexistence throughout the electoral period.

He maintained that political ambitions should never lead to loss of lives, disagreements should not destroy relationships among neighbours, and temporary financial inducements should not influence citizens’ choices about the country’s future.

The twin initiatives form part of preparations by electoral and civic education authorities to strengthen logistics, encourage voter participation and promote peaceful conduct ahead of the 2027 general elections.