BREAKING: INEC Speaks On 2027 Elections Postponement, Issues Stern Warning to Officials

• INEC says the 2027 elections will hold as scheduled, with Chairman Joash Amupitan reaffirming the timetable and warning electoral officials against compromising the process.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has ruled out plans to postpone the 2027 elections, saying preparations remain focused on delivering the polls according to its approved timetable.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance on Saturday, October 31, during an interactive meeting and readiness assessment involving the commission’s personnel from the six South-South states in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Addressing officials, including Resident Electoral Commissioners, Amupitan said the commission remained committed to meeting its statutory obligations and conducting credible elections.

“Our statutory timeline is fixed. We will not change anything. The election must hold as scheduled,” he said.

The Port Harcourt engagement formed part of INEC’s assessment of its operational preparedness ahead of the nationwide exercise. It provided an opportunity to identify gaps and determine where additional attention would be needed before polling.

Amupitan urged personnel to maintain impartiality, discipline and accountability throughout the preparations. He warned that partisan conduct, negligence, absenteeism and financial impropriety would attract disciplinary action.

The chairman also pointed to experience gained from recent governorship elections, Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections and by-elections as part of the commission’s preparation for the larger national exercise.

Work on the voters’ register is also continuing. Amupitan said the commission was processing requests to correct voter details, including names and dates of birth, alongside objections submitted for consideration. Final publication of the register is scheduled for December 15, 2026.

On security, he said INEC was working with agencies including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to protect voters, election personnel and materials.

He also cautioned permanent and ad hoc personnel against compromising the process, stressing that electoral misconduct would carry consequences under the law.

The chairman’s remarks reaffirm the commission’s current position: preparations for the 2027 elections are proceeding under the existing timetable, while voter-register corrections, operational assessments and security coordination continue.