INEC Chairman Urges Staff to Stay Neutral Ahead of 2027 Elections

During a working visit to Enugu, Prof. Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), addressed staff from the South‑East region in an interactive session.

He cautioned that staff should not take an interest in any political party, stressing the need for neutrality and professionalism. The chairman said the commission would not tolerate unethical conduct that could erode public confidence in the electoral process.

Amupitan also revealed that INEC has introduced a reward and sanction system covering local government, state and national offices. The mechanism aims to promote discipline and accountability among personnel.

In a separate announcement, the chairman said that from 1 January 2027, INEC staff will move from the conventional civil‑service salary structure to a special salary structure. The change is intended to improve welfare and reduce the risk of officials being induced before, during or after elections. He said the commission is working with other agencies to secure the necessary funding.

The chairman noted that the commission has supplied the Enugu office with ten new pickup vans and that further logistics will be made available in preparation for the forthcoming general election.

He urged staff to work diligently to restore and strengthen public confidence in INEC, emphasising that their conduct is critical to the credibility of Nigeria’s elections.

The new salary structure is part of a broader effort to enhance staff welfare, including improved training programmes and clearer career progression pathways. By reducing financial incentives that could compromise impartiality, INEC hopes to reinforce its image as an unbiased electoral body.

The chairman also highlighted the importance of maintaining professional conduct in both words and actions, and warned that any deviation could undermine the commission’s credibility.