INEC has launched early logistical preparations for the 2027 general elections, establishing a multi-agency committee to coordinate the movement of election materials and prevent voters from being disenfranchised by late deliveries. The commission’s chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, announced the initiative on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Electoral Logistics Committee and the launch […]
INEC has launched early logistical preparations for the 2027 general elections, establishing a multi-agency committee to coordinate the movement of election materials and prevent voters from being disenfranchised by late deliveries.
The commission’s chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, announced the initiative on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Electoral Logistics Committee and the launch of the National Orientation Agency’s nationwide voter mobilisation campaign. He said preparations had started early because transporting election materials across Nigeria required careful planning, coordination and security.
Amupitan appointed National Commissioner Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (retd.) to chair the committee, which includes representatives of security agencies, transport unions and relevant government institutions. He said voters must find their polling units open and ready at the designated time, describing timely delivery of election materials as an important part of electoral credibility.
The committee will assess logistics needs and develop plans for storing, distributing, deploying and retrieving election materials. It will also inspect warehouses, vehicles, airports and seaports, identify operational weaknesses, recommend corrective action and monitor compliance with approved schedules. Its work will cover transportation by road, air and sea, alongside coordination with government agencies and transport unions.
Malafa said the committee would examine lessons from previous elections and identify ways to improve the timely deployment of materials and personnel. She said its assessment would include cargo handling, storage facilities, transportation and security, with special attention to difficult terrain, insecure areas and locations prone to crises.
Alongside the logistics preparations, Amupitan called on the NOA to expand voter education in communities across the country. He urged the agency to reach residents through traditional rulers, markets, religious centres, campuses and village squares in all 774 local government areas, identifying voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence as major concerns ahead of the polls.
The INEC chairman urged eligible voters to check their registration status, collect their Permanent Voter Cards and turn out peacefully on election day. He condemned vote buying and warned political actors against violence and hate speech. He also expressed concern about AI-generated deepfakes that could provoke ethnic or religious conflict, while calling on parties to resolve electoral disputes through lawful channels.
Amupitan said INEC was working with the EFCC, ICPC and security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to monitor financial activities around polling units and tackle vote buying. He also pointed to the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing portal as part of the commission’s electoral processes.
NOA Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu said the nationwide campaign would be implemented through the agency’s state directorates and Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers across the 774 local government areas.
The non-partisan programme will use community meetings, local-language communication, radio discussions, drama, audio messages and digital platforms to encourage participation and peaceful elections ahead of the polls scheduled for January 16 and February 6, 2027.