The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has warned that anyone who attacks National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members or electoral officials deployed for election duties will face the full weight of the law.
Amupitan issued the warning on Saturday, October 31, 2026, during the commission’s South-South zonal interactive meeting with staff and its readiness assessment for the 2027 general election in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The INEC chairman stressed that the safety of personnel involved in electoral duties was essential to conducting credible elections and protecting the integrity of the democratic process.
He cautioned against threats or physical attacks on officials responsible for administering elections, including corps members deployed to support electoral operations.
“Anyone who threatens or harms INEC officials, including National Youth Service Corps members deployed for election duties, would face the full weight of the law,” Amupitan warned.
His warning comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general election, with attention focused on voter registration, election technology, logistics, staff training and the security of electoral personnel.
The commission has also emphasised that its officials must remain politically neutral and carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the law.
Warning Against Electoral Misconduct
Beyond attacks on election personnel, Amupitan warned INEC officials against partisanship, negligence, absenteeism and financial misconduct.
He said conduct that compromises the commission’s responsibilities would attract disciplinary action, stressing that electoral officials must not allow political preferences or personal interests to influence their decisions.
The chairman maintained that the credibility of an election depends not only on the laws governing the process but also on how faithfully officials implement them.
Electoral personnel are responsible for a range of duties, including voter accreditation, election logistics, the management of polling units and the documentation and transmission of results.
Any deliberate interference with those responsibilities can undermine confidence in the process and create disputes that may extend beyond election day.
Amupitan therefore urged staff to understand their responsibilities, follow established procedures and document their actions in a manner that can withstand public scrutiny and judicial review.
His message placed accountability and professional conduct at the centre of the commission’s preparations for the next general election.
Protecting Corps Members and Election Personnel
NYSC members have historically played an important role in Nigeria’s elections, with corps members often deployed to assist INEC in conducting polling and other electoral activities.
Their participation makes the protection of young people serving in electoral roles an important aspect of election security.
Threats or attacks against these personnel can expose them to physical harm while also disrupting election operations and potentially affecting voters’ ability to exercise their rights.
Amupitan’s warning signals the commission’s position that attacks on election workers will not be treated as an unavoidable feature of political competition.
Security agencies, political parties and community leaders all have responsibilities in helping to protect electoral personnel and ensuring that polling activities can proceed without intimidation.
Political candidates and supporters must also respect the independence of election officials and avoid actions that could obstruct the lawful conduct of elections.
INEC Reviews Voter Registration and Election Technology
The chairman also discussed preparations involving voter registration, election technology and logistics.
According to his remarks, INEC was examining concerns over suspicious photographs appearing in the preliminary voters’ register published online and would take corrective action based on verified findings.
The issue highlights the importance of ensuring that the register accurately reflects eligible voters and that errors or irregularities are investigated before the final list is produced.
The commission has encouraged public participation in the display of the preliminary register and the process for submitting claims and objections.
Amupitan also said INEC was preparing its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), including the deployment of 57,000 newly procured devices, while auditing its electronic result-management systems.
The measures form part of the commission’s wider preparations to improve electoral administration and strengthen transparency.
INEC’s ability to address legitimate concerns about registration records, equipment and procedures will be important to maintaining public confidence ahead of the election.
Credible Elections Require Collective Responsibility
Although INEC is responsible for organising elections, the security and credibility of the process also depend on cooperation among political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations and voters.
Security agencies must protect electoral personnel and respond appropriately to credible reports of threats or attacks.
Political parties must ensure that their campaigns remain peaceful, while electoral officials must carry out their duties impartially and transparently.
Citizens also have a role in reporting suspected irregularities and participating in established procedures for correcting errors in the voters’ register.
Amupitan’s warning underscores the commission’s determination to protect its personnel and enforce standards of conduct as preparations for 2027 continue.
Ultimately, the credibility of the election will depend not only on the commission’s technology and procedures but also on whether electoral officials can perform their duties safely, without intimidation and in accordance with the law.