The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has tasked the staff of the commission to brace up for the task of delivering a free, fair, and credible poll, saying it is the only thing that would erase the trust deficit around the commission.
He stated that the panel is committed to bolstering and deepening the nation’s democratic process and rebuilding public confidence by 2027.
Amupitan made this statement on Friday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while speaking to INEC employees at the commission’s office following an examination of the state’s local government areas’ nationwide Continuous Voter Registration campaign.
In order to track Nigerians of registrable age and make sure they utilize the CVR exercise, he said INEC would work with the National Population Commission and other pertinent organizations.
“As we build up to 2027, I want to announce that we are in it together to serve Nigeria and strengthen democracy. Though INEC is already having a trust deficit, whatever we are doing in Abuja, we have to cascade it here.
“We should work hard to restore the trust. We know state congresses are ongoing and some of you are part of it—please, any activity you are handling, do it with every honesty and utmost courtesy.
“What you are doing today will determine the 2027 elections. If you want to determine the future, you create it. What we owe Nigerians is free, fair, and credible elections; let their expectations be met. We want Nigerians to begin to believe in INEC, that whoever emerges is the will of the people,” he said.
Amupitan also revealed that the commission would embark on a voters’ revalidation exercise to have accurate data of those eligible to vote, stating that those who had died or whose names should not be on the register would be removed.
“The register should be sanitized,” he added.
He urged all INEC staff to join in creating awareness about the ongoing voter registration exercise, saying it should not be left to the voter education and publicity unit alone.
“Encourage and galvanize them to come out while assuring them that their votes will count,” he said.
In response, State Resident Electoral Commissioner Barrister Obo Effanga thanked the chairman for visiting the polling places and speaking with staff, pledging to make sure the commission fulfills its mandate before 2027.
According to our correspondent, the chairman visited a few CVR registration centers in Ikot Ekpene and Uyo, where he received complaints about network issues and login issues, which he promised would be fixed.
He also expressed satisfaction with the number of young people who participated in the registration drive and advocated for more voter education in the state.
