INEC Suspends Staff Leave as Preparations Intensify for 2027 Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission has suspended further annual leave for its personnel as preparations intensify for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan announced the directive during a meeting with staff from the North-Central states and the Federal Capital Territory in Lokoja.
Technology and logistics preparations
The commission said it is configuring 57,000 newly procured Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices and auditing its electronic result-management systems, including the platform used to transmit polling-unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal.
Operational vehicles have been distributed to state and local-government offices, while 20 sport utility vehicles have been procured for Resident Electoral Commissioners. Administrative Secretaries are also expected to receive new vehicles.
INEC said it has completed nine of the 14 major milestones in its election timetable. The certified voters’ register is scheduled for release on 15 December 2026.
Staff conduct and welfare
Amupitan warned personnel against negligence, absenteeism, financial impropriety and political partisanship. Resident Electoral Commissioners and Administrative Secretaries were directed to enforce attendance and accountability.
The commission also announced an enhanced salary and allowance package and a 150 per cent increase in monthly overhead allocations to state offices, effective from July 2026.
The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for 16 January 2027. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for 6 February.
INEC’s announcements describe preparations, not proof that every operational risk has been resolved. The commission will still need to demonstrate the reliability of its logistics, voter register, result systems and security coordination on election day.
Sources: INEC readiness measures; additional report.
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