The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has declared that the countdown to the 2027 General Elections has begun.
On Monday, Amupitan conducted an extensive “boots-on-the-ground” inspection of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) centers across Lagos State.
The visit follows a high-level strategic retreat aimed at reforming the commission’s image and operational efficiency.
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Accompanied by his senior aides, the chairman visited key electoral hubs to evaluate the second phase of the nationwide CVR exercise.
At the Ikeja LGA office, he was briefed by Electoral Officer Hajia Haolat Mustapha on new technological deployments that have significantly boosted citizen turnout.
In Surulere LGA, he engaged directly with field officers to assess the speed and transparency of the registration process.
He also toured the INEC Zonal Store with Raphael Okezie to identify logistical bottlenecks that must be resolved well before the 2027 polls.
At the Lagos State Headquarters in Sabo-Yaba, Amupitan unveiled a “transformative vision” for INEC, signalling a departure from traditional civil service constraints.
Under institutional strength, he proposed transforming INEC into a specialised agency with autonomy that extends beyond standard civil service frameworks.
For staff welfare, he pledged to increase allowances for CVR staff and introduced a plan for a comprehensive home ownership scheme for employees.
Regarding public trust, he acknowledged the “low public perception” of the commission and vowed to restore credibility through early and transparent preparation.
“Preparation for the 2027 election has started. We cannot afford to wait until the last minute,” Amupitan charged his staff. “If we want to fix this country, let’s first start with a very good, free, credible election.”
The chairman’s focus on early preparation stems from lessons learned during the 2023 and 2025 election cycles.
READ ALSO: INEC Chairman flags off strategic retreat
By addressing funding gaps and state office challenges now, the commission aims to eliminate the technical glitches that have historically plagued Nigerian elections.
Lagos State Administrative Secretary, Oluyemi Adeyemi-Showunmi, speaking for Resident Electoral Commissioner Salami Ayobami, pledged that the state office would surpass its previous performance under this new “hands-on” leadership.
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