Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Joash Amupitan, is currently meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting follows the recently concluded Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections and bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states.
All Resident Electoral Commissioners from the 36 states and the FCT are in attendance.
The session is expected to review the outcome of the elections held on Saturday, February 21, and provide an opportunity for RECs to raise operational concerns, as well as discuss early preparations for the 2027 general election.
During his remarks, Amupitan addressed logistical challenges recorded during the FCT polls, particularly in Kuje and Kabusa, stating that staff found responsible for the lapses would be investigated and sanctioned if culpable.
He also disclosed that transporters responsible for delays in moving election materials to Kwali Area Council would be blacklisted.
On preparations for 2027, the INEC chairman informed the RECs that adjustments would be made to the general election timetable earlier released, following the enactment of the new Electoral Act.
Also present at the meeting was the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions, whose delegation paid a courtesy visit to INEC. The leader of the delegation said the forum seeks closer collaboration with the national electoral body to strengthen the conduct of local government elections across states.