Amupitan insists electoral timetable is sacrosanct, identifies Rivers as priority state with 3.7 million registered voters
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out any possibility of postponing the 2027 general elections, declaring that preparations are already in top gear and the polls will hold as scheduled.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance on Saturday during an interactive meeting with commission officials and staff members from the six South-South states in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Amupitan, who addressed Resident Electoral Commissioners and other officials, said the commission’s statutory timetable for the elections had been established and would not be altered under any circumstances.
According to him, INEC remains committed to conducting credible elections in strict compliance with the provisions of the law.
“Our statutory timeline is fixed. We will not change anything. The election must hold as scheduled,” the INEC chairman declared.
His remarks come amid claims by some political parties that the electoral commission was considering shifting the 2027 general elections.
Rivers Tops South-South Voter Register
The INEC chairman disclosed that Rivers State would receive particular attention ahead of the elections because of its strategic electoral importance and its position as the state with the highest number of registered voters in the South-South geopolitical zone.
He revealed that Rivers has 3,736,434 registered voters, followed by Delta State with 3,525,988 and Edo State with 2,865,263.
Other states in the region have the following registered voter figures:
– Akwa Ibom – 2,566,198.
– Cross River – 1,928,978.
– Bayelsa – 1,200,691.
The six states collectively have 15,823,550 registered voters, according to the figures presented by the INEC chairman.
Amupitan stressed that the commission would pay closer attention to Rivers State to ensure that operational challenges do not prevent eligible voters from exercising their civic rights.
“With the 3,736,434 registered voters for Rivers State, the state leads the South-South. By this, the commission will put more attention to what happens in Rivers State. It is your duty to ensure that no voter is disenfranchised because of operational failures,” he said.
INEC Receives Over 5,000 Voter Register Complaints
Amupitan also disclosed that INEC had published the voters’ register online and at designated locations to allow eligible voters to scrutinise their details and request necessary corrections.
He said the commission had received more than 5,000 claims relating to corrections, including errors in names and dates of birth, alongside over 600 objections.
According to him, the commission was addressing the complaints and objections to ensure the credibility and accuracy of the final voters’ register.
The INEC chairman announced that the final register of voters would be released on December 15, 2026.
He added that all outstanding issues would be resolved before the deadline.
INEC Abandons Proposed Voter Register Revalidation
The electoral chief further revealed that the commission had initially considered conducting a comprehensive revalidation of the voters’ register following his assumption of office.
However, the proposal was eventually dropped after concerns were raised that the exercise would take place too close to the 2027 general elections.
He explained that the commission considered the timing and potential implications of the exercise before deciding against proceeding with it.
Amupitan Expresses Confidence in 2027 Polls
Amupitan expressed confidence in INEC’s ability to deliver peaceful, transparent and credible elections in 2027.
He said the commission had continued to draw lessons from recent off-cycle governorship elections, particularly the Osun State governorship election, to strengthen its preparations and improve electoral operations.
The INEC chairman urged officials across the South-South region to demonstrate commitment, professionalism and efficiency in carrying out their responsibilities.
He maintained that the success of the 2027 general elections would depend significantly on the commission’s preparedness and its ability to ensure that no eligible Nigerian is disenfranchised.
