Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states will serve as an “immediate litmus test” for the commission’s reforms ahead of the 2027 general election.
In May 2025, INEC scheduled the governorship elections in
Ekiti and Osun for June 20 and August 8, 2026, respectively.
In an Eid-el-Fitr message issued by Adedayo Oketola, the
chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Amupitan urged the members of staff
of the commission to translate the discipline of the Ramadan fast into a
renewed commitment to electoral integrity.
He said the conclusion of the fast is a “victory of the
spirit over self and a foundational moment for the commission” ahead of the
off-cycle governorship polls and the 2027 general election.
“The lessons of Ramadan — patience, integrity, and empathy —
are the very virtues we require as we approach the critical milestones of
2026,” the INEC chairman said.
While noting that professional excellence is a
non-negotiable standard, Amupitan urged INEC’s members of staff to ensure that
discipline is reflected in a zero-tolerance approach to misconduct, aimed at
ending voter apathy and rebuilding public trust.
The INEC chairman added that since his assumption of office
on October 23, 2025, he has “moved aggressively” to modernise the commission’s
operations and restore institutional memory.
“The commission is currently operating under the framework
of the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026, which mandates stricter adherence
to technological innovations like the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS)
and the INEC result viewing portal (IReV),” he said.
“The upcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship elections serve as
the immediate litmus test for these reforms…and the ultimate test before the
2027 general election.
“With a workforce of over 14,000, the Commission is
prioritising internal discipline alongside enhanced working conditions,
recognising that a motivated workforce is the best defence against external
political pressure.”
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