The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against actions capable of undermining public confidence in the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, issued the warning on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at the signing of the First National Peace Accord on Issue-Based Campaigns, organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre.
With campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled to officially commence on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Amupitan urged political actors to avoid misinformation, inflammatory rhetoric and premature declaration of election results.
According to him, unverified claims of victory or early results could create unnecessary tension, trigger panic and weaken confidence in the electoral process.
Amupitan also cautioned political parties against identity-based provocation, incitement and the deployment of private armed groups, stressing that such activities could threaten the credibility of the elections even before voters cast their ballots.
He said INEC would remain neutral throughout the electoral process, insisting that the commission had no preferred candidate or political party.
“INEC has no interest in who wins or loses any election. The Commission does not have a candidate, nor does it favour any political platform,” he said.
The INEC chairman said the commission’s priority was to deliver a lawful, transparent, credible and inclusive election while providing a level playing field for all contestants.
He further disclosed that INEC was strengthening its preparations for the 2027 polls, including logistics, technology and personnel training. According to him, the commission is preparing to manage about 1.4 million ad hoc personnel across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide.
Amupitan said lessons from recent elections in Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory, Ekiti and Osun had been incorporated into the commission’s preparations, while additional transparency measures were being introduced in the management of election results.
He also urged candidates to make issue-based campaigns the centre of their political activities, calling for substantive discussions on the economy, security, healthcare, education, infrastructure and social inclusion.
Describing elections as “competitive job interviews before the electorate,” he said candidates should offer Nigerians clear and measurable programmes rather than relying on personal attacks and character assassination.
Amupitan stressed that INEC alone could not guarantee a credible election, noting that political parties, candidates, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and voters all have roles to play.
He urged political actors to embrace peaceful competition, warning that the ultimate objective should be to ensure that Nigeria emerges stronger from the electoral process.
“Peace is not the absence of competition; it is the presence of rules and the willingness to abide by them,” he said.
The warning comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify, with INEC urging all stakeholders to respect electoral rules and prioritise the stability of the country.
