The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has called on security agencies to strengthen their involvement in election planning, deployment, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency collaboration as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

Amupitan acknowledged that electoral activities are already accelerating nationwide, warning that the build-up to the 2027 polls places increasing demands on election stakeholders, particularly security institutions.

He made the call during the first regular consultative meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), held at INEC’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Describing 2026 as a highly demanding electoral year, Amupitan noted that the country will witness multiple electoral engagements, including Area Council elections, by-elections, and off-cycle governorship polls, even as preparations for the 2027 general election intensify.

According to him, the expanding electoral calendar requires security agencies to raise their level of preparedness to ensure all electoral activities are conducted in a secure, peaceful, and credible environment.

Providing updates on preparations for the 2027 polls, the INEC chairman said public interest and expectations are steadily increasing. While the commission has released its election timetable in accordance with the law, he stressed that the size and complexity of the exercise make early and sustained security collaboration essential.

He emphasized that credible elections cannot be achieved if citizens feel unsafe to participate in the process.

Amupitan also disclosed that INEC will soon commence a nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise aimed at sanitising the national voters’ register ahead of the 2027 elections. He said the exercise, alongside the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, would require robust security support to safeguard INEC facilities, personnel, and prospective voters, particularly in areas vulnerable to disruption.

He urged ICCES members to remain professional, neutral, and committed, stressing that successful elections depend on effective cooperation among institutions.

“The credibility of our elections and the strength of our democracy depend largely on your ability to secure the electoral process from start to finish,” he said, calling for vigilance, proactiveness, and unity as the country navigates an increasingly demanding electoral season.