2027: Free, fair polls non-negotiable, Amupitan tells INEC staff

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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has asked staff of the commission to brace up for the task of delivering a free, fair, and credible poll, saying it is the only thing that would erase the trust deficit around the commission.

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He said the commission is determined to strengthen and deepen the country’s democratic process and restore the trust of the people ahead of 2027.

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Amupitan stated this on Friday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while addressing INEC staff at the commission’s secretariat after inspecting the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise in some local government areas of the state.

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He said INEC would collaborate with the National Population Commission and other relevant agencies to track Nigerians of registrable age and ensure they take advantage of the CVR exercise.

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“As we build up to 2027, I want to announce that we are in it together to serve Nigeria and strengthen democracy. Though INEC is already having a trust deficit, whatever we are doing in Abuja, we have to cascade it here.

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“We should work hard to restore the trust. We know state congresses are ongoing and some of you are part of it — please, any activity you are handling, do it with every honesty and utmost courtesy.

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“What you are doing today will determine the 2027 elections. If you want to determine the future, you create it. What we owe Nigerians is free, fair and credible elections; let their expectations be met. We want Nigerians to begin to believe in INEC, that whoever emerges is the will of the people,” he said.

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Amupitan also disclosed that the commission would embark on a voters revalidation exercise to have accurate data of those eligible to vote, stating that those who had died or whose names should not be on the register would be removed.

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“The register should be sanitised,” he added.

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He charged all INEC staff to join in creating awareness about the ongoing voter registration exercise, saying it should not be left to the Voter Education and Publicity unit alone.

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“Encourage and galvanise them to come out while assuring them that their votes will count,” he said.

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Responding, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Obo Effanga, thanked the chairman for visiting the polling units and interacting with staff, promising to ensure the commission delivers on its mandate ahead of 2027.

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Our correspondent reports that the chairman visited some CVR registration centres in Ikot Ekpene and Uyo, where he received complaints about network challenges and login problems, which he assured would be resolved.

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He expressed satisfaction at the turnout of young people for the registration exercise and called for more voter education in the state.

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