Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has stated that the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti State and Osun State will act as an “immediate litmus test” for the commission’s reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In May 2025, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed the governorship elections in Ekiti State and Osun State for June 20 and August 8, 2026, respectively.
In an Eid al-Fitr message released on Friday by Adedayo Oketola, the chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan urged staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission to channel the discipline of the Ramadan fast into a renewed commitment to electoral integrity.
He said the conclusion of the fast is a “victory of the spirit over self and a foundational moment for the commission” ahead of the off-cycle governorship polls and the 2027 general election.
“The lessons of Ramadan — patience, integrity, and empathy — are the very virtues we require as we approach the critical milestones of 2026,” the INEC chairman said.
While stressing that professional excellence is non-negotiable, Joash Amupitan urged staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission to embody discipline through a zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, with the goal of curbing voter apathy and restoring public confidence.
The INEC chairman added that since his assumption of office on October 23, 2025, he has “moved aggressively” to modernise the commission’s operations and restore institutional memory.
“The commission is currently operating under the framework of the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026, which mandates stricter adherence to technological innovations like the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) and the INEC result viewing portal (IReV),” he said.
“The upcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship elections serve as the immediate litmus test for these reforms…and the ultimate test before the 2027 general election.
“With a workforce of over 14,000, the Commission is prioritising internal discipline alongside enhanced working conditions, recognising that a motivated workforce is the best defence against external political pressure.”