On October 16, 2025, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, newly confirmed as INEC Chairman, pledged to conduct elections so credible that losers would congratulate winners, emphasizing collaboration with agencies like NIMC and NCC. During a three-hour Senate screening, Amupitan, succeeding Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, clarified he did not represent any party in the 2023 Presidential Election Tribunal. He promised to audit the IReV portal to address 2023 glitches, enhance transparency, and establish an Ethics and Compliance Committee and whistleblower policy to tackle electoral misconduct.
Amupitan stressed improving logistics, potentially using drones for material delivery, and harmonizing Electoral Act timelines to boost public confidence. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, citing past electoral injustices, urged accountability.
However, the Senate deferred consideration of the 2025 Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which proposes holding 2027 presidential and governorship elections in November 2026, after debates revealed unclear amendments. Senator Simon Lalong highlighted the bill’s aim for a comprehensive electoral reform to address 2023 flaws, but further clarification was needed.
