The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed October 9 for the distribution of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) for new registrants.
The commission ended the continuous voters’ registration (CVR) exercise on July 26 to enable it to print the PVCs for the new registrants.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, who spoke on Monday in Kaduna while declaring open the North-West zonal interactive meeting with staff and readiness assessment for the 2027 general election, warned against partisanship, administrative negligence and compromise.
Prof. Amupitan told electoral officers, heads of departments and senior administrative staff from the zone that the commission would strictly enforce its code of conduct.
“Every officer must understand that protecting INEC’s institutional integrity is non-negotiable,” he said.
According to him, the conduct of field staff was central to the credibility of any election, noting that false narratives only gain traction when the commission’s administrative execution falters.
“When a polling unit opens late, when an officer displays nonchalance or perceived bias, or when technical glitches are met with silence, we inadvertently validate the cynics, deepen voter apathy, and fuel disinformation.
“The conduct, competence, and character of our staff in the field are either our strongest defence against fake news, or its biggest catalyst,” Prof. Amupitan stated.
He reminded them of the oath of loyalty and neutrality, which he said, commits every officer to administer an election without a preferred candidate or political party.
“The question must never be ‘Who will benefit from this decision?’ but always ‘What does the law require me to do?’
“The credibility of an election depends on how faithfully the law is implemented by the officials entrusted with its administration,” he said.
Source: Politics Archives – New Telegraph
