Eid-el-Fitr: INEC Boss, Amupitan Urges Discipline, Sets Tough Benchmark for Ekiti, Osun Polls
Oru Leonard
ABUJA — The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, has charged staff of the Commission to uphold discipline and integrity as Nigeria prepares for key off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
In his Eid-el-Fitr message released on Friday, the INEC Chairman said the spiritual lessons of Ramadan—particularly self-discipline, patience, and honesty—must be reflected in the conduct of electoral officials across the country.
He described the end of Ramadan as a period of reflection and renewal, urging both INEC staff and Nigerians to commit to strengthening the credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2026 elections and the 2027 general polls.
Amupitan also highlighted the unique overlap of Ramadan with the Christian Lenten season this year, noting that the shared period of fasting and prayer among staff underscores unity and collective responsibility toward nation-building.
Addressing the Commission’s workforce of over 14,000 personnel nationwide, he reaffirmed his commitment to staff welfare while stressing that professionalism and zero tolerance for misconduct remain critical to restoring public confidence in elections.
The INEC boss pointed to ongoing reforms under the Electoral Act 2026, including the deployment of technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), as part of efforts to enhance transparency.
He described the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship elections as crucial tests for the Commission’s readiness ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that internal discipline and efficiency will be key to delivering credible polls.
