The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has urged Nigerians and the commission’s workforce to channel the discipline cultivated during Ramadan into strengthening electoral integrity ahead of key elections.
In his Eid-el-Fitr message delivered from INEC headquarters on Friday, Amupitan described the conclusion of the Ramadan fast as “a victory of the spirit over the self,” stressing that the period offers a timely opportunity for reflection as the commission prepares for the 2026 off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as the 2027 general elections.
He noted that the rare overlap of Ramadan with the Christian Lenten season underscores a shared moral responsibility among Nigerians to uphold democratic values.
According to him, virtues such as patience, integrity, and empathy, central to both religious observances, are essential to ensuring credible electoral processes.
“The lessons of Ramadan – patience, integrity, and empathy – are the very virtues we require as we approach the critical milestones of 2026,” he stated.
Addressing INEC’s workforce of over 14,000 personnel spread across the 774 local government areas of the country, the chairman reiterated his administration’s commitment to staff welfare.
He cited the recent Iftar gathering organised by the commission, the first in eight years, as evidence of a renewed focus on employee engagement and morale.
Amupitan also called for the highest standards of professionalism within the commission, advocating a zero-tolerance stance on misconduct.
He warned that unethical practices could further deepen voter apathy and erode public confidence in the electoral system.
Since assuming office on October 23, 2025, the INEC boss has initiated measures aimed at modernising the commission’s operations and preserving institutional memory.
These efforts are now being reinforced under the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026, which mandates stricter compliance with technological innovations such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
The forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun are widely regarded as a litmus test for these reforms, serving as a precursor to the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan maintained that a disciplined, motivated, and ethically grounded workforce remains the cornerstone of credible elections, particularly in the face of mounting political pressures.
