The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has ruled out any plan to postpone the 2027 general elections, insisting that the polls will hold as scheduled.
Amupitan said the commission had fixed its statutory timetable and would not alter it, adding that preparations for the elections were already in progress.
He made this known on Saturday during an interactive meeting with INEC staff members and Resident Electoral Commissioners from the six South-South states in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The meeting also focused on assessing the commission’s preparedness for the 2027 elections.
His remarks come amid claims by some political parties that INEC intends to postpone the general elections.
Addressing the officials, Amupitan maintained that the commission would adhere strictly to the electoral timetable and deliver credible elections in accordance with the law.
“Our statutory timeline is fixed. We will not change anything. The election must hold as scheduled,” he declared.
The INEC chairman also disclosed that the commission would pay particular attention to Rivers State during the forthcoming elections because of its strategic importance and the number of registered voters in the state.
He gave the number of registered voters in Rivers as 3,736,434, making it the state with the highest figure in the South-South region.
Delta State followed with 3,525,988 registered voters, while Edo had 2,865,263. Akwa Ibom recorded 2,566,198, Cross River had 1,928,978, and Bayelsa had 1,200,691.
According to Amupitan, the six states have a combined total of 15,823,550 registered voters.
He stressed that INEC officials in Rivers must ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised because of operational failures.
“With the 3,736,434 registered voters for Rivers State, the state leads the South-South. By this, the commission will put more attention to what happens in Rivers State. It is your duty to ensure that no voter is disenfranchised because of operational failures,” he said.
Amupitan further disclosed that INEC had published the voters’ register online and at designated locations for public scrutiny.
He said the commission had received more than 5,000 claims seeking corrections to details such as names and dates of birth, as well as over 600 objections, which were being addressed ahead of the elections.
The INEC chairman announced that the final voters’ register would be released on December 15, adding that the commission was determined to resolve all outstanding issues before the deadline.
He also explained that INEC had initially considered conducting a revalidation of the voters’ register after he assumed office but abandoned the proposal following concerns that the exercise would take place too close to the 2027 elections.
Amupitan warned that any commission staff member or ad hoc official, including members of the National Youth Service Corps, found attempting to compromise the elections in their areas of assignment would face sanctions in accordance with the law.
