The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has called on electoral officials and Nigerians to uphold discipline, integrity and accountability ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
Amupitan made the call in his Eid-el-Fitr message, where he urged stakeholders to apply the values of patience, honesty and responsibility to the electoral process.
He described the elections as critical in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system and preparing for the 2027 general elections.
The Ekiti and Osun governorship elections are part of Nigeria’s off-cycle elections and are often used to assess the readiness of the electoral body ahead of nationwide polls.
INEC has continued to implement reforms aimed at improving transparency and credibility in elections.
The commission is currently operating under the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates stricter compliance with technological innovations such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal.
Amupitan emphasised that discipline must translate into professional conduct among INEC staff across the country.
“The lessons of Ramadan; patience, integrity, and empathy, are the very virtues we require as we approach the critical milestones of 2026. Discipline must translate into a renewed commitment to electoral integrity,” he said.
He urged the commission’s workforce of over 14,000 staff to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to misconduct, stressing that professionalism remains essential to credible elections.
The INEC chairman also noted that improved staff welfare is part of efforts to ensure independence and reduce vulnerability to external pressure.
He stated that a motivated workforce is key to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
The call for discipline and integrity highlights ongoing efforts by INEC to address voter apathy and rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
The Ekiti and Osun elections are expected to serve as a test of recent reforms and operational readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
