The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections, directing its officials across the country to address operational weaknesses and maintain strict neutrality in the discharge of their duties.
The Commission also announced that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will commence on October 9, 2026, as part of efforts to ensure eligible voters are prepared ahead of the polls.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the directive on Monday in Kaduna during the Commission’s North-West Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment for the 2027 General Election.
The Kaduna engagement is part of a six-zone nationwide assessment aimed at examining INEC’s level of preparedness, identifying challenges confronting its field operations and finding solutions before election day.
Amupitan stressed that effective election administration must go beyond activities at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, noting that much of the electoral process is implemented at the grassroots.
He therefore tasked officials to identify weaknesses within their areas of responsibility and work with the headquarters to resolve them ahead of the 2027 elections.
The INEC chairman also cautioned personnel against partisan conduct and administrative lapses, emphasising the importance of neutrality and professionalism in strengthening confidence in the electoral process.
According to him, the Commission is drawing lessons from previous elections and using the ongoing zonal assessments to prevent avoidable operational problems from affecting the 2027 polls.
The exercise is expected to continue across the remaining geopolitical zones as INEC works to strengthen its administrative, logistical and field operations ahead of the national elections.
