101 days to 2027 polls: Your ambitions not worth blood of Nigerians, INEC warns politicians
INEC Chair Issues Warning Against Election Violence and Vote-Buying
By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to politicians regarding the escalation of political violence, hate speech, and vote-buying as the country approaches the 2027 General Election. INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan expressed that no political ambition justifies violence against Nigerians, pledging that offenders will face arrests and sanctions.
Amupitan delivered the remarks on Monday during a Strategic Workshop for Editors organized by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in partnership with INEC. He emphasized the need for a peaceful electoral process, stating, “Democracy thrives on the clash of ideas, not the clash of weapons or the proliferation of hate speech.”
To bolster the integrity of the electoral process, Amupitan announced that INEC has established mechanisms to track incidents of political violence and related misconduct. Through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), a framework has been activated to monitor and log such incidents. Political parties or candidates found guilty of inciting violence or using armed thugs can expect direct statutory sanctions and prosecution.
Departing from his prepared remarks, Amupitan shared an incident where a candidate in Kano State was reportedly seen campaigning while brandishing a firearm. “This is the alarming reality of our electoral process today,” he lamented, calling for restraint among political actors.
Crackdown on Vote-Buying
In addition to addressing violence, Amupitan declared war on vote-buying, stating that treating votes as commodities undermines the electoral process. He revealed that the Commission is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Justice and various anti-corruption agencies to deploy joint financial monitoring teams aimed at detecting and preventing illegal campaign spending. Candidates attempting to trade cash for votes will face severe legal consequences.
Ensuring Peaceful Elections
Reflecting on past elections, Amupitan recounted his experience during the Osun governorship election, where he emphasized the importance of maintaining peace on election day. His efforts resulted in 94% of polling units commencing voting on time. He stressed the significance of effective risk analysis and result management to ensure that public trust in the electoral process is restored.
The Commission has already taken significant steps toward readiness for the upcoming elections, including issuing a revised timetable for activities leading to the polls. The presidential and national assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while state governorship and legislative elections are set for February 6, 2027.
Record Voter Registration and New Technology
Amupitan announced that the voter register has surpassed 103 million registrants. The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) initiative has contributed over 10.6 million new voters, with various phases recording significant numbers. Voter card collections are expected to begin on October 9, 2026.
Coupled with the registration efforts, INEC has acquired 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices to enhance the electoral process. These will undergo rigorous updates to prevent manipulation.
The introduction of the eEC8A form seeks to digitize result sheets and mitigate fraud at polling units. Additionally, INEC plans to collaborate with international technology partners to implement artificial intelligence-driven tools for monitoring election data traffic.
Security Measures and Media Responsibility
Amupitan mentioned that INEC is considering measures such as providing staff with bulletproof vests and vehicles due to insecurity in certain regions. The Commission has also undertaken strategic audits to enhance logistical security during elections.
In a bid to combat misinformation, Amupitan highlighted the importance of collaboration with the media. He proposed a three-point plan aimed at enhancing fact-check mechanisms and granting journalists secure access to polling areas. He affirmed that INEC is committed to transparency and integrity, with no preference for any political party or candidate.
NGE President Eze Anaba reiterated the vital role of the media in maintaining public trust in the electoral process. He emphasized the need for accurate, timely information from INEC, cautioning against the misinformation pervasive in today’s political environment.
The workshop sought to reinforce a partnership between INEC and the media to ensure that the 2027 elections are conducted in a manner that upholds democratic principles and public confidence.
