The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called on the National Peace Committee (NPC) and other stakeholders to step up their efforts to restore public trust in the electoral system before the 2027 elections.

Prof. Amupitan appealed on Monday at a stakeholder briefing and presentation of the Annotated Peace Accord organised by the NPC at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja.

The meeting brought together political party leaders, heads of security agencies, and civil society representatives in what observers see as an early move to prevent tensions ahead of the next general elections.

Represented at the event by the Convener of the Committee, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, the Chairman of the NPC and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, reaffirmed the committee’s role as a neutral platform for dialogue and mediation since 2015.

In his remarks, the INEC chairman acknowledged that public confidence in elections remains fragile and requires collective intervention beyond the commission’s institutional reforms.

“For us, we appeal to the National Peace Committee to help us in the area of building trust. The trust deficit is such that anywhere you go, it is palpable. If voters do not participate, then whoever emerges. It is also in our own interest that everybody continues to participate. We’ll get it right one day,” he stated.

Amupitan noted that nearly all national commissioners, alongside directors and senior management staff, attended the session — a move he said demonstrates the commission’s commitment to transparent engagement and democratic consolidation.

He stressed that Nigeria’s electoral system operates in a diverse, highly competitive political environment, where the legitimacy of elected leaders must extend beyond mere technical compliance.

“Let the process be so transparent that whoever emerges will not only have legality but legitimacy.

He added that constitutionally, INEC is the custodian of Nigerian democracy and elections. Whatever comments are made, we do not get angry. We take them, process them, and see how we can improve.”

The INEC chairman also raised concerns over declining voter turnout in recent elections, describing citizen participation as central to democratic stability.

He urged political parties to strengthen internal discipline and voter mobilisation, warning that apathy could weaken the credibility of future mandates.

On electoral integrity, Amupitan disclosed that the Commission has introduced additional safeguards in results management to address transparency concerns. Though he did not provide operational specifics, he said the measures have already been tested in recent polls.

He further identified misinformation and disinformation as growing threats to electoral stability, noting that false narratives can inflame tensions and erode trust.

According to him, INEC is collaborating with security agencies and other relevant institutions to counter the spread of misleading information during elections.

Addressing electoral offences such as vote-buying, the Commission reiterated that such practices remain criminal under Nigerian law and must be tackled decisively. He called on law enforcement agencies to ensure the timely prosecution of offenders.

Amupitan also highlighted ongoing efforts to sanitise the voter register, describing an accurate and updated register as the bedrock of credible elections.

Looking ahead, he described the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States as critical testing grounds for operational improvements ahead of 2027.

The INEC chairman mentioned that he is considering mock exercises in selected polling units to strengthen technological readiness.

He also emphasised the importance of the timely release of election funds under the amended legal framework, noting that early access to resources is vital for procurement, logistics, and comprehensive planning.

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