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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has urged the various security agencies to increase their stake in planning, deployment, intelligence gathering and inter-agency coordination ahead of the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
Amupitan equally admitted that the tempo of electoral activities is rising steadily ahead of the 2027 general polls.
He gave the challenge in his remarks at the first regular consultative meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held at the Commission’s national headquarters in Abuja.
“This meeting is particularly significant, as it is my second ICCES engagement. More importantly, to underline a simple truth: 2026 is a very busy electoral year.
“From Area Council elections to bye-elections and off-cycle governorship elections, the tempo of electoral activities is rising steadily as we move towards the 2027 General Election. “This reality places a greater burden on our collective shoulders. Security agencies must, therefore, up the ante in planning, deployment, intelligence gathering and inter-agency coordination, to ensure that every electoral activity is conducted in a safe, peaceful and credible environment,” he said.
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Giving further updates on the build-up to next year’s poll, Amupitan said: “As we approach the 2027 general election, public interest and expectations continue to rise.
“While the commission has finalised its timetable in line with the law, the scale and complexity of the elections demand early and sustained security engagement. Elections cannot be credible if citizens feel unsafe to participate.
“The commission will soon embark on a nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise to further sanitise the national register ahead of 2027. This exercise, alongside the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, will require security support to protect facilities, personnel and citizens, especially in areas prone to disruption.
“Distinguished members of ICCES, elections succeed when institutions work in harmony. INEC will continue to rely on your professionalism, neutrality and commitment to duty.
“The credibility of our elections, and indeed our democracy, depends largely on your ability to secure the electoral process from start to finish. Let us remain vigilant, proactive and united in purpose as we navigate this demanding electoral year,” he pleaded.
