Prof. Joash Amupitan, the head of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, has directed personnel to maintain impartiality as the body prepares for the upcoming general election. According to AllAfrica, Amupitan issued this directive on Monday while engaging with employees from the South-East region. The session occurred shortly after he arrived in Enugu for a working trip intended to interact with traditional rulers and other electoral stakeholders in that zone.
Amupitan stated that the commission would not tolerate unethical conduct that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process. He observed that some staff members were showing interest in specific political parties, a trend he described as problematic. To address this, he instructed the workforce to remain unbiased in both their words and actions, emphasizing that the commission aims to act as an impartial umpire. He noted that discipline and diligence are critical to restoring the trust that citizens place in the electoral body.
To promote accountability, the INEC chairman disclosed the introduction of a reward and sanction mechanism covering local government, state, and national offices. He also announced a transition away from standard civil service pay scales toward a distinct compensation framework, effective January 1, 2027. This initiative is intended to improve staff welfare and reduce the likelihood of electoral officials being financially induced before, during, and after elections. Amupitan explained that the commission is collaborating with other governmental agencies to secure the necessary funding for this new framework.
In terms of logistical readiness, the chairman reported that the Enugu office has been provided with ten new pickup vans, with additional logistics expected. He indicated that non-sensitive election materials are ready, while contracts for sensitive materials are currently being processed. Furthermore, he stated that massive training and retraining programs will commence soon. He described this retraining as imperative due to new guidelines and regulations introduced in the amended Electoral Act, ensuring that staff are fully prepared for the upcoming electoral cycle.