The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified preparations for the 2027 normal elections, with its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, commissioning a brand new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) storage facility in Lokoja, Kogi State….
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified preparations for the 2027 normal elections, with its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, commissioning a brand new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) storage facility in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Amupitan commissioned the ability on Thursday, November 5, 2026, throughout his North-Central zonal readiness evaluation and engagements with electoral officers and stakeholders forward of the January 16 and February 6, 2027 elections.
The facility is anticipated to handle challenges related to the storage and upkeep of BVAS gadgets, significantly these arising from poor storage situations and insufficient cooling techniques.
Speaking on the ceremony, the INEC Chairman mentioned devoted storage services have been essential to protect the gadgets, keep their optimum efficiency, shield battery life and lengthen their operational lifespan.
He expressed satisfaction with the standard of the development, significantly the inspiration, structural safety, electrical connections and tools installations, whereas directing officers to make sure that the ability serves its meant function.
Amupitan additionally congratulated the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner and administration of the state workplace, describing the ability as an vital addition to the state’s electoral preparedness.
Earlier, the INEC Chairman visited the Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers, the place he sought the help and royal blessings of conventional establishments for peaceable, credible and inclusive elections in 2027.
Describing the go to as a homecoming, Amupitan mentioned it was vital to pay homage to conventional rulers earlier than endeavor a serious nationwide project in his residence state.
He was obtained by the President and Chairman of the Council, the Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty, Dr Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa, alongside the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Muhammad; the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Okun Area Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, and different conventional rulers.
The INEC Chairman recognized conventional establishments as essential companions within the electoral course of, noting that the Commission couldn’t independently assure peaceable elections with out the cooperation of group leaders and different stakeholders.
He appealed to the royal fathers to help the Commission in mobilising eligible voters to gather their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), discouraging electoral violence and political thuggery, and combating misinformation and disinformation.
On voter mobilisation, Amupitan disclosed that INEC was implementing a decentralised PVC assortment train throughout the 774 native authorities areas, together with all 21 native authorities areas of Kogi State.
He mentioned assortment factors had been moved nearer to residents at ward stage to make the method extra accessible, urging conventional rulers to encourage eligible voters to gather their playing cards and take part within the elections.
On safety, he appealed to the standard rulers to warning younger individuals towards permitting themselves for use as devices of political violence and electoral disruption.
He additionally warned about rising threats related to synthetic intelligence-generated deepfakes, fabricated media content material and intentionally circulated false info able to deceptive voters and undermining public confidence in elections.
Amupitan urged conventional establishments to collaborate with INEC’s state and native authorities places of work to confirm info earlier than disseminating it inside their communities.
Reassuring voters of the Commission’s neutrality, he declared that INEC had no most well-liked candidate and was dedicated to making sure that each one lawful votes forged have been precisely counted and declared.
He added that the Commission had taken steps to audit, improve and safe its technological infrastructure, together with BVAS gadgets, whereas strengthening collaboration with safety companies forward of the polls.
Responding on behalf of the standard rulers, the Vice President of the Kogi State Council of Chiefs, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Muhammad, pledged the standard establishment’s help for the INEC Chairman and the Commission.
He described Amupitan’s appointment as a supply of pleasure to the individuals of Kogi State and promised the Council’s cooperation in selling peaceable coexistence, accountable political participation and credible elections.
The conventional ruler, nonetheless, urged the INEC Chairman to uphold equity, transparency, accountability and strict adherence to the rule of regulation.
In one other engagement, Amupitan met with employees of the INEC Kogi State workplace on the Professor Mahmood Yakubu State Collation Centre in Lokoja to evaluate their preparedness for the forthcoming elections.
The assembly introduced collectively National Commissioners, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Alhaji Shehu L. Wahab, administrative officers, heads of departments, electoral officers and different personnel.
Amupitan pressured the significance of professionalism, efficient coordination and dedication amongst electoral officers, significantly in logistics, know-how and the distribution of election supplies.
He mentioned the success of the 2027 elections would rely considerably on the dedication of personnel at state and native authorities ranges.
In his welcome handle, Wahab described the Chairman’s go to as a morale booster and an indication of the Commission’s dedication to assessing operational readiness on the grassroots.
He mentioned that since his deployment to Kogi State in April 2026, he had engaged employees on a number of events and secured their dedication to diligence, professionalism and the Commission’s strategic targets.
The REC additionally reaffirmed the state’s zero tolerance for partisanship and operational complacency, saying personnel throughout the 21 native authorities areas have been anticipated to keep up the best requirements {of professional} conduct.
Staff representatives welcomed the Chairman’s engagement and highlighted the significance of employees welfare in sustaining motivation, professionalism and resistance to exterior affect.
Addressing the standard rulers, Amupitan additional disclosed that INEC had accomplished 9 of the 14 main operational milestones outlined in its timetable and schedule of actions for the 2027 normal elections.
He additionally revealed that Nigeria’s voter register had elevated to greater than 103 million registered voters, highlighting the size of the executive and technological obligations going through the Commission.
The INEC Chairman reaffirmed his dedication to delivering peaceable, clear, credible and inclusive elections, assuring Nigerians that the Commission would proceed to strengthen its operational capability and interact related stakeholders.
The Kogi go to varieties a part of INEC’s nationwide readiness evaluation, combining infrastructure growth, consultations with conventional establishments and engagements with electoral personnel because the Commission advances preparations for the 2027 normal elections.
