The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has warned that anyone who threatens, intimidates or attacks electoral officials ahead of the 2027 general elections will face the full consequences of the law.
Amupitan issued the warning on Saturday, October 31, 2026, during the South-South Zonal Readiness Assessment and Interactive Staff Engagement held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He stressed that the commission would not tolerate attacks against its ad hoc personnel, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members or permanent staff, noting that their safety was essential to the successful conduct of credible elections.
The INEC chairman maintained that security challenges would not prevent the commission from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities. He warned that anyone found harming electoral workers would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Amupitan explained that the South-South assessment was the fifth in a series of zonal engagements conducted by the commission, following similar exercises in the South-West, North-West, South-East and North-East regions.
He further disclosed that INEC had adopted a proactive, intelligence-driven security strategy known as the ICCES Tentacle to improve election security. The framework is designed to strengthen collaboration among security agencies at national, state and local government levels while identifying potential threats and protecting electoral personnel and voters.
According to him, the South-South region has 15,823,550 registered voters, representing 15.30 per cent of Nigeria’s total voter population. Rivers State accounts for 3,736,434 registered voters across its 23 local government areas.
Providing an update on preparations for the 2027 elections, Amupitan revealed that INEC had completed nine of the 14 major statutory activities outlined in its electoral timetable.
He added that the commission was working to ensure the safe and timely transportation of election personnel and materials, particularly to riverine and coastal communities, through an agreement with the Maritime Transporters Union.
The INEC chairman also urged electoral officers to remain neutral, disciplined and professional in discharging their responsibilities, warning that misconduct, negligence, absenteeism and financial impropriety would attract appropriate sanctions.
