By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, is positioning the electoral body for sweeping reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections, using mounting public criticism and political scrutiny as a catalyst for institutional rebuilding.

The renewed spotlight on the commission followed recent comments by Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, who questioned the neutrality and independence of INEC in a strongly worded letter and television interview. Obi suggested that the commission’s decisions may have been influenced by external political forces, including the Presidency.

His remarks reignited national debate over electoral credibility and public trust in democratic institutions, with many observers describing the intervention as one of the strongest challenges yet to the legitimacy of Nigeria’s electoral system since the 2023 elections.

Political analysts, however, say the criticism may also be serving another purpose — pushing the electoral commission toward deeper reforms and greater transparency.
Rather than retreat from the growing pressure, the leadership of Professor Amupitan appears to be embracing it as an opportunity to rebuild confidence in the electoral process before Nigerians return to the polls in 2027.
Sources within the commission indicate that INEC has intensified consultations with the National Assembly, political parties, and civil society organisations on proposed amendments to the Electoral Act and broader electoral reforms.

The discussions are said to focus on critical areas including voter accreditation, electronic transmission of results, prosecution of electoral offences, and election-day logistics — issues that generated widespread controversy during previous elections.

At a recent town hall meeting on the amended Electoral Act 2026, Professor Amupitan stressed the importance of restoring public trust through transparent reforms.

According to him, the commission is determined to “address past shortcomings and restore public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

He noted that improvements in election logistics and the transmission of presidential election results remain central to the commission’s reform agenda.

In another major development, the INEC chairman has also unveiled measures aimed at improving staff welfare within the commission.

Speaking during the International Nurses Week celebration at INEC headquarters on May 13, 2026, Professor Amupitan announced plans to renovate existing medical facilities and establish a more comprehensive healthcare centre for INEC staff nationwide.

The move followed concerns raised by employees over the state of healthcare services available to commission workers.
INEC is equally accelerating operational preparations for the next general elections, with plans underway to mobilise more than 1.4 million ad hoc personnel, largely drawn from members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Analysts says the recruitment strategy reflects a broader attempt to strengthen election administration while increasing youth participation in the democratic process.

Since assuming leadership after the tenure of former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, Professor Amupitan has repeatedly pledged to uphold “the highest standards of integrity, transparency and discipline” in the conduct of elections.

As political tension gradually builds ahead of 2027, many believe the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy may depend not only on the conduct of politicians, but also on whether INEC can successfully transform public scepticism into renewed institutional trust.