The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has urged election officials deployed for the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections to uphold professionalism and avoid actions that could undermine public trust.
Amupitan gave the charge on Saturday while addressing supervisory presiding officer trainees during a capacity-building session held across the FCT as part of preparations for the February 21, 2026 polls.
According to him, the credibility of the election will largely depend on officials working at polling units, stressing that their conduct in the field directly reflects on the commission’s integrity.
He described supervisory presiding officers as central to the success of the exercise, noting that while senior officials operate from offices, it is field personnel who ensure smooth accreditation, voting, and result management on election day.
Amupitan appealed to the trainees to see their assignment as a form of national service, acknowledging the sacrifices involved, including modest remuneration. He expressed hope that such contributions to democracy would one day receive broader recognition.
The INEC chairman explained that the ongoing mock accreditation and voting exercise was designed to assess the commission’s level of readiness, strengthen officials’ capacity, and ensure uniform application of procedures during the election.
He encouraged participants to take the training seriously and study the commission’s operational manual, saying the interactive sessions were aimed at improving understanding rather than rote learning.
With less than two weeks to the election, Amupitan warned against compromise, stating that Nigeria urgently requires a stable and credible electoral system to strengthen democracy.
Speaking to journalists during an assessment of the exercise, the INEC boss expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), describing it as a major technological tool in preventing electoral malpractice.
He said the mock exercise allowed the commission to test upgrades made to the device in a simulated environment, adding that BVAS effectively prevents double accreditation and multiple voting.
Amupitan disclosed that non-sensitive election materials had already been deployed, while training for presiding officers was ongoing and expected to be completed before the polls.
On concerns about voter turnout, he acknowledged the challenge of voter apathy but expressed optimism that participation would improve, assuring residents that awareness efforts were being intensified ahead of election day.
Addressing possible challenges in rural and satellite communities, particularly network connectivity issues, Amupitan said INEC had put contingency measures in place, including the use of hotspots and delayed uploads where internet access is unavailable.
He also noted that discussions on electronic transmission of results remain with the National Assembly, urging stakeholders to avoid unnecessary tension while the legislative process continues.
The INEC chairman, alongside national commissioners, the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner, and members of the media, visited several polling units across the territory to observe the mock exercise and assess operational preparedness.
