RismadarVoice Reporters
November 1, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that anyone who threatens, intimidates or attacks National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other electoral personnel during the 2027 general elections will face legal consequences.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, issued the warning on Saturday during the commission’s South-South Zonal Interactive Meeting and Readiness Assessment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In a statement released on Sunday, the commission said the safety of permanent and temporary election workers remained a priority as preparations intensified for the nationwide polls.
Amupitan also cautioned INEC personnel against political partisanship, negligence, absenteeism and financial misconduct, warning that violations would attract disciplinary measures.
He explained that the zonal assessment was designed to identify operational challenges, evaluate preparedness and strengthen election administration.
According to him, the South-South geopolitical zone has 15,823,550 registered voters, including 3,736,434 in Rivers State.
He stressed that administrative failures and logistical challenges must not prevent eligible Nigerians from exercising their voting rights.
Addressing electoral technology, Amupitan disclosed that INEC was preparing its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), including 57,000 newly procured devices, ahead of the elections.
He added that the commission was auditing its electronic results management systems to strengthen transparency in the publication of election results through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
The chairman also addressed concerns over suspicious photographs and other irregularities identified in the preliminary voters’ register published online.
He said the commission was examining the affected records and would implement corrective measures based on verified findings.
Amupitan urged Nigerians to participate in the register display, claims and objections process before the scheduled publication of the final voters’ register on December 15, 2026.
On logistics, he acknowledged the challenges of conducting elections in riverine and coastal communities across the Niger Delta.
He disclosed that INEC had finalised a memorandum of understanding with the Maritime Transporters Union to facilitate the transportation of electoral personnel and materials to difficult-to-reach locations.
The chairman reaffirmed the commission’s collaboration with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to protect voters, election officials and electoral materials.
He also highlighted improved staff welfare measures, including salary adjustments, hazard allowances and increased operational funding for state offices.
Amupitan urged electoral officials to uphold professionalism, impartiality and accountability throughout the election process.
