The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has urged staff of the commission to intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, stressing that only credible polls can restore public confidence in the electoral body.

Amupitan made the call on Friday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while addressing staff of the commission at the INEC state secretariat after inspecting the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in some local government areas.

The INEC chairman said the commission was committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process and rebuilding trust in the electoral system ahead of the 2027 polls.

He acknowledged that the electoral body currently faces a trust deficit and emphasised the need for staff members at all levels to work collectively to restore public confidence.

“As we build up to 2027, we must understand that we are all in this together to serve Nigeria and strengthen democracy. INEC already has a trust deficit, so whatever we are doing at the national headquarters must also reflect at the state and local levels,” he said.

Amupitan stressed that Nigerians expect nothing less than free, fair and credible elections, noting that the legitimacy of elected leaders depends on the integrity of the electoral process.

“What Nigerians expect from us are credible elections. Whoever emerges from the process must truly represent the will of the people,” he added.

The INEC chairman also disclosed that the commission would collaborate with the National Population Commission and other relevant agencies to identify Nigerians who have attained voting age and encourage them to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

According to him, the commission would soon embark on a voter revalidation exercise aimed at cleaning up and updating the national voters’ register.

“We will revalidate the register to ensure it is accurate. Those who have died or whose names should not be on the register will be removed. The register must be sanitised,” he explained.

Amupitan urged all staff members of the commission to actively support voter mobilisation efforts, noting that voter education should not be left solely to the voter education and publicity department.

“Every staff member should encourage Nigerians to register and assure them that their votes will count,” he said.

Responding, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Obo Effanga, assured the INEC chairman that the state office would work diligently to deliver credible elections in line with the commission’s mandate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

During the inspection tour, Amupitan visited some CVR centres in Ikot Ekpene and Uyo, where officials and prospective voters complained about network disruptions and login challenges affecting the registration process.

The INEC chairman, however, assured that the technical issues would be addressed promptly.

He also expressed satisfaction with the turnout of young people participating in the voter registration exercise and called for intensified voter education campaigns to encourage more Nigerians to take part in the democratic process.