The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken its 2027 General Election preparations to the North-West.
Chairman Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, directed officials in Kaduna to close operational gaps, strengthen neutrality, and ensure no avoidable weaknesses undermine the polls’ credibility.
Focus on Grassroots Success
Speaking at the North-West Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment, Amupitan stressed that election success is decided at the grassroots, including Local Government Areas, Registration Area Centres, and polling units, and not in Abuja meeting rooms. 
“The true success of any election is not decided solely in the meeting rooms of our headquarters in Abuja. It is decided in the field,” he said.
The engagement is a part of INEC’s tour through the six zones of the country to assess preparedness, identify field challenges, and develop practical solutions ahead of 2027.
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Key Directives and Voter Registration Update
Amupitan urged staff of the body to present practical challenges and work with the headquarters on solutions. He warned against partisan conduct and administrative negligence, stressing that field personnel’s neutrality and professionalism are critical to public confidence.
Three phases of Continuous Voter Registration have produced 10,772,421 new registrations, which are subject to Automated Biometric Identification System verification.
He called for the elimination of PVC distribution bottlenecks at the LGA level so that eligible citizens are not disenfranchised by logistics failures. He also added that PVC collection begins on October 9.
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Technology and Logistics Improvements
INEC is refining its technological systems, including voter verification, result transmission, and Result Management Systems such as the recently introduced eEC8A.
The Commission is also implementing a “Zero-Failure” approach to logistics, covering early deployment of materials and movement. It is also ensuring proper security coordination and training of ad hoc personnel.
The North-West engagement underscores INEC’s focus on grassroots readiness, technological refinement, and institutional neutrality ahead of the 2027 polls.
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