and Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
As Nigeria’s electoral body faces growing scrutiny ahead of the November 8 Anambra governorship election, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has issued a stern warning to the Commission’s staff. There will be no room for excuses or failure.
Speaking during a meeting with staff in Awka, Amupitan declared that the integrity of the poll now rests on the internal discipline and efficiency of INEC.
“The eyes of the world are on us,” he said bluntly, insisting that any delay in logistics or late commencement of voting would be treated as a dereliction of duty.
His message reflected a broader crisis of confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system, where public trust remains fragile following past controversies over late deployment and manipulation of results.
Amupitan’s insistence that voting must commence at exactly 8:30 a.m. in all 5,718 polling units underscores INEC’s determination to avoid another logistical embarrassment.
However, his directive that staff “must not sleep” the night before the election exposes the Commission’s recurring struggle with preparedness despite years of reform.
The Chairman also vowed to hold officials accountable for negligence, warning that logistics audits would follow after the polls.
“Excellence will be rewarded, and failure punished,” he said.
Observers noted that Amupitan’s hardline tone may reflect anxiety over Nigeria’s credibility crisis in managing elections—particularly after the mixed reviews of the 2023 general polls.
The Anambra election, analysts say, will serve as a critical test of whether INEC’s leadership can deliver on its promises of transparency, punctuality, and professionalism.
