2027 Election: “No rigging, No vote buying” – INEC chairman, Amupitan declares

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has declared that election rigging and vote buying ahead of the 2027 general elections will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Amupitan made this known during the swearing-in ceremony of a newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Adeniran Tella, where he reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.

The ceremony, held at the commission’s headquarters, marked Tella’s redeployment to Oyo State as part of INEC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen electoral administration nationwide.

In his address, the INEC Chairman underscored the gravity of the role, describing the ceremony as “a solemn occasion, an occasion of call to duty.”

“This is a profound responsibility, placing you at the forefront of Nigeria’s democratic journey in one of our states,” he said.

Prof. Amupitan stressed that the commission will reject any form of compromise, whether through manipulation of results, financial inducements, or procedural irregularities.

He maintained that Nigerian voters must have full confidence that their votes will count, adding that INEC will strictly enforce its guidelines and uphold all relevant laws throughout the election cycle.

According to him, credible elections are the foundation of democracy, and INEC is fully prepared to combat any act that undermines transparency, fairness, and public trust.

“Your role as a Resident Electoral Commissioner is absolutely critical to the success of this democratic project. I must be unequivocal, and I admonish you that the integrity of our elections is non-negotiable,” he warned.