The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sworn in Dr. Chukwu Chukwu-Emeka Joseph as Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State and conducted a comprehensive review of the recently concluded elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano and Rivers States, as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The development followed a high-level meeting between the Commission and Resident Electoral Commissioners held on Wednesday at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, SAN, commended election officials in the FCT, Kano and Rivers for the successful conduct of the FCT Area Council election and bye-elections in Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies, as well as Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies in Rivers State.
He noted that the polls were largely peaceful and transparent, with results promptly announced. However, final collation in Kuje Area Council was delayed due to difficult terrain in Kabi Ward, where the process was concluded on Sunday afternoon. According to him, over 93 per cent of polling unit results were uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) by 2:00pm on Sunday, while an average of 97 per cent of FCT results had been transmitted as of the meeting date.
The INEC chairman acknowledged voter apathy as a continuing challenge but highlighted modest progress in the FCT, where voter turnout rose from 9.4 per cent in 2022 to about 15 per cent in 2026, with over 239,000 voters participating.
He clarified public concerns over alleged voter migration, stressing that no such exercise occurred in 2026. He explained that the redistribution of voters was carried out in 2022 under the Commission’s Expansion of Voters’ Access to Polling Units initiative, which created over 56,000 additional polling units nationwide to decongest existing centres.
On operational challenges, Amupitan expressed concern over delays in the opening of polling units, noting that only 45 per cent of polling units in the FCT opened by 8:30am, although all became operational by 10:00am. He disclosed that officials responsible for the delays had been queried, while a transporter linked to logistical lapses in Kwali Area Council would be blacklisted.
He also commended security agencies for maintaining peace during the elections, despite isolated incidents at some collation centres in Kuje and Kwali, which were promptly resolved.
The INEC boss highlighted improvements in result management through the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), including image upload of Form EC8A and automated validation to prevent over-voting and mathematical inconsistencies.
He further announced that the Commission would soon release a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.
Amupitan disclosed that INEC would also commence a nationwide voter revalidation exercise to sanitise the register, while the second phase of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), which began on January 5, would continue until April 17, with the full exercise scheduled to end on August 30, 2026.
Speaking after his swearing-in, Dr. Chukwu-Emeka, a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, pledged to uphold professionalism and strengthen confidence in the electoral process in Enugu State.
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) has sought structured collaboration with INEC to improve electoral governance at state and local government levels.
Led by its National Chairman, Mamman Nda Eri, the delegation proposed partnership in areas including capacity building, technology deployment, voter education, research and policy dialogue.
Responding, Amupitan welcomed the proposal and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to knowledge sharing, technical support and institutional strengthening across the electoral ecosystem.
He emphasised that sustained collaboration and continuous capacity development remain critical to ensuring credible, transparent and inclusive elections in Nigeria ahead of 2027.
