INEC rallies CSOs, Nigerians to foster democratic ideals, inclusivity ahead 2027 General Elections

*Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, Chairman of the Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, urges Civil Society Organisations, and other stakeholders to support the Commission’s efforts at ensuring openness, accountability, and strict adherence to the law in the electoral ecosystem

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

As preparations for the 2027 General Elections continue, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the Civil Society Organisations, electoral stakeholders, and Nigerians in general to    support the Commission’s push for openness, accountability, and strict adherence to the law in the electoral ecosystem.

ConsumerConnect reports Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, Chairman of the Commission, stated this Wednesday, February 5, 2026, at the First Quarterly Consultative Meeting with the CSOs, in Abuja, FCT.

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Welcoming the participants to the forum for the first time in the New Year, Prof. Amupitan reminded them that 2026 would be full of electoral activities for all stakeholders in the run-up to the 2027 General Elections.

The Chair of INEC noted the forum with the CDOs and other stakeholders waa a critical opportunity for us to foster dialogue, share insights, and collaboratively navigate the electoral landscape as the West African country prepares for its democratic future.

On Anambra Election

Amupitan told the participants that the Commission “successfully conducted the Anambra State off-cycle Governorship Election on 8th November, 2025.”

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He also explained that in the run-up to the election, INEC engaged extensively with stakeholders and conducted a pre-election assessment to evaluate the state of preparedness and test-run our election technologies.

“The Commission managed the entire electoral process with candidates from 16 political parties and involving 2,802,790 eligible voters across 5,718 polling units with openness, accountability and strict adherence to the law.

“We remain grateful to all stakeholders, particularly the CSOs, for your cooperation.

“The deployment of sign language interpreters during the election was another major achievement,” he averred.

Preparations for FCT Area Council Election

According to him, next on the electoral calendar is the Federal Capital Territory Area Council Elections slated for Saturday, February 21, 2026.

Amupitan disclosed that the upcoming election would involve 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units (PUs) in the six (6) Area Councils of the FCT —namely Abaji, the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

He stated: “It will be contested by 570 candidates in 68 (sixty-eight) constituencies for the positions of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen, and 62 (sixty-two) Councillors made up of 10 (ten) wards each for five Area Councils and 12 (twelve) wards for the Abuja Municipal Area Council.

“The Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, which was released 23 January 2025, consists of 13 (thirteen) key activities, 10 (ten) of which have already been completed.”

He further said: “The remaining activities relate to the publication of the Notice of Poll, the last day of campaigns and Election Day itself.

“Parties are reminded that campaigns end on Thursday, 19th February 2026.”

In respect of the level of the Commission’s preparations, the chairman noted: “On our part, non-sensitive materials have been delivered and batched at each Area Council, recruitment and training of Ad Hoc personnel have been concluded, BVAS devises are being configured for accreditation and upload of results to the IReV portal, and sensitive materials will be delivered a day before the election. “There will be a mock accreditation Saturday, 7th February 2026, in 289 selected Polling Units (PUs) across the six Area Councils.”

He equally said: “The selected PUs will be made available on the Commission’s Web site. “While INEC has deployed specialised resources and targeted sensitisation programmes to empower voters with disabilities and ensure inclusivity, 83 domestic and five foreign observers have been accredited for the polls.”

Bye-elections in State Constituencies of Rivers

Prof. Amupitan said the Commission, February 21, 2026, would also conduct bye-elections in Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State, South-South Nigeria.

He explained the vacancies in Ahoada East II and Khana II resulted from the resignation and death of the elected members, respectively.

In Ahoada East II.

According to him, voting by 41,085 registered voters will take place in 87 (eighty-seven) polling units (PUs) across six wards, while in Khana II, 71,865 registered voters are expected to vote in 155 polling units across eight wards.

Besides, the Chairman of INEC touched on bye-elections in Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies of Kano State

He affirmed that bye-elections would be conducted on the same day for the Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies of Kano State as a result of the death of the two serving members.

He stated: “In the Kano Municipal constituency, 330,228 registered voters will vote in 630 polling units (PUS) across 13 wards, while in Ungogo constituency, 205,418 registered voters will vote in 384 polling units (PUs) across 11 wards.

“Ten political parties are participating in both bye-elections.

As regards Ekiti and Osun State Governorship Election, Prof. Amupitan averred that in compliance with Section 28(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the Commission, June 25, 2025, had announced that the Ekiti State Governorship Election would hold June 20 this year across 2,445 polling units in the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

Of the 13 activities outlined in the election timetable, eight (8) have already been completed.

In addition, the Osun State Governorship Election is scheduled for Saturday, 8th August, 2026.

For that election, the third activity in the approved timetable is presently underway, said he.

The electoral umpire said on 2027 General Elections, Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, empowers the Commission to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days before the date of the polls.

He noted while the National Assembly (NASS) is currently working on amendments to the Electoral Act, the Commission has made its submission as required.

Amupitan asserted: “We are mindful of the growing public interest and anticipation surrounding the release of the timetable, and wish to assure political parties and the Nigerian public that the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections will be released in full compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Electoral Act, 2022.

“Having said that, we seek your support in urging the National Assembly to expedite action on the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.”

Voter revalidation exercise

Emphasising the importance of credible voter register in elections, the Chairman of the Commission averred that credible register of voters remains the bedrock of free, fair and transparent elections.

He stated: “No electoral process can command public confidence without trust in the integrity of its voters’ register.

“Nigeria’s national register, first compiled ahead of the 2011 General Elections, has since been continuously updated and deployed in the General Elections of 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023, as well as in several off-cycle governorship and bye-elections.

“As of the 2023 General Election, the register stood at 93,469,008 voters.”

He further explained that persistent challenges —including duplicate registrations, under-age registration, registration by non-citizens, deceased voters and incomplete or inaccurate records— have continued to generate legitimate concerns.

Such anomalies undermine public confidence in the electoral process, noted he.

Amupitan, however, assured stakeholders that the Commission would embark on a thorough clean-up with a view to further sanitising and strengthening the integrity of the register. Accordingly, the Commission will be embarking on a nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

Continuous Voter Registration

In the first phase of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise conducted from 18th August to 10th December 2025, the Commission registered a total of 2,782,589 eligible voters. The second phase commenced on 5th January 2026 and will run until 17th April 2026.

The entire CVR exercise is scheduled to span one year and will conclude on 30th August 2026.

We are encouraged by the strong public response to the exercise, which affirms the continuing belief of Nigerians in the democratic process and in the efforts of the Commission to ensure that every eligible citizen is afforded the opportunity to register and vote.

For transparency purposes, data on completed online pre-registrations and physical registrations are published weekly on the Commission’s website.

Political Parties Registration

The Chairman said the Commission had received a total of 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

He disclosed the associations were assessed in line with Section 222 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 79(1), (2) and (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as Clause 2 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.

Several of the Associations were unable to fulfil the constitutional requirements and the requirements of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

The successful association(s) will soon be announced by the Commission.

On FCT PVC Collection

Amupitan told representatives of CSOs: “As partners, we urge you to help mobilise the FCT Council Areas’ residents to go out and collect their PVC.

“The ongoing PVC distribution in the FCT will end on 10th February 2026 and we do not want anyone to be disenfranchised.

“Also, let’s work together to monitor the activities of the political parties, especially their campaigns and general conduct in the election.”

The Chairman stated: “Let’s sensitise the public, particularly political party members, to refrain from hate speech, vote buying, misinformation, disinformation and violence during campaigns, and to conduct their activities strictly within the framework of the law.  “There is still so much to be done in the areas of civic, voter education and gender inclusion amid the rising voter apathy that we have experienced in recent election cycles. Let’s collaborate to tackle this malaise.

As Nigeria bears the conduct of 2027 General Elections, Ptof. Amupitan noted it is imperative that Nigerians remain vigilant and proactive.

He declared: “We must prepare for a seamless electoral process that embodies the ideals of democracy, justice, and inclusivity.

“This is a collective responsibility, and each one of you plays a vital role in fostering democracy in Nigeria.

“On a final note, we deeply acknowledge the work that you do, and our doors are open for more engagements. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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