The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Joash Amupitan, (SAN), has urged staff of the commission to prepare to deliver free, fair and credible elections in 2027, saying credible polls remain the only way to erase the trust deficit facing the electoral body.

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

He said the commission was determined to strengthen and deepen the country’s democratic process while rebuilding public confidence in the electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“As we build up to 2027, I want to announce that we are in it together to serve Nigeria and strengthen democracy, INEC already has a trust deficit. So, whatever we are doing in Abuja must also be reflected here. We must work hard to restore that trust.”

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

The INEC chairman also said 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.

He disclosed that the commission would soon embark on a voters’ revalidation exercise aimed at sanitising the 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 said.

Amupitan urged all staff members of the commission to support ongoing voter mobilisation efforts, noting that voter education should not be left to the commission’s voter education and publicity unit alone.

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

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

Meanwhile, during the inspection tour, the INEC chairman visited some CVR centres in Ikot Ekpene and Uyo, where he received complaints about network challenges and login issues affecting the registration process.

He, however, assured that the technical challenges would be resolved.

Amupitan also expressed satisfaction with the turnout of young people for the voter registration exercise and called for increased voter education to encourage more Nigerians to participate. (Saturday PUNCH)

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