The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uncovered an alleged plot targeting its ad hoc staff, particularly members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), ahead of the 2027 general election, with suspects reportedly arrested and expected to face prosecution.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during the commission’s South-East Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment for the 2027 general election in Enugu.
According to the commission’s Daily Bulletin, Amupitan said the Department of State Services (DSS) assisted in identifying those allegedly involved in the plot.
He explained that INEC had identified potential security threats to its ad hoc personnel and taken steps to neutralize them, stressing that the safety of electoral officials remained a priority as preparations for the next general election gathered momentum.
The chairman also announced plans to organise a security conference to address other emerging concerns relating to election security.
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Amupitan said the commission had strengthened its collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to improve security arrangements ahead of the 2027 polls.
He added that INEC was working with security agencies at both national and state levels, using its Election Risk Management tools to develop an intelligence-driven framework for identifying and addressing potential threats.
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INEC Raises Alarm Over Misinformation, Voter Apathy
Beyond security concerns, the INEC chairman identified declining public trust, voter apathy, and the spread of misinformation and disinformation as major challenges confronting the commission.
He warned that false reports, unverified rumours and manipulated digital content could spread rapidly, potentially undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
“A single malicious fake news post, an unverified rumour, or a deepfake video can travel across millions of screens in seconds,” Amupitan said.
He noted that administrative lapses within the commission could make false narratives more believable, adding that the conduct and professionalism of electoral officials would be critical in combating misinformation.
“The conduct, competence, and character of our staff in the field are either our strongest defence against fake news, or its biggest catalyst,” he stated.
To address the challenge, Amupitan said INEC would prioritize transparency, timely official communication and strict compliance with operational procedures at polling units.
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INEC Chairman Warns Staff Against Misconduct
The chairman also issued a stern warning to commission staff against partisan conduct, negligence, extortion and other ethical violations.
“Partisan leaning, administrative negligence, extortion, or compromised ethics will not be tolerated under my leadership,” he said.
Amupitan further reminded electoral officials that Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2026 requires relevant election personnel, including Electoral Officers, Presiding Officers and Returning Officers, as well as participating security personnel, to swear an oath of loyalty and neutrality.
He urged staff to discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the law rather than political interests.
“The question governing your actions must never be ‘Who will benefit from this decision?’ The question must always be ‘What does the law require me to do?’” he said.
The meeting was part of INEC’s ongoing preparations for the 2027 general election, with the commission seeking to strengthen operational readiness, improve staff discipline, address emerging security threats and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
The commission’s preparations come amid growing concerns over the safety of election personnel, the integrity of electoral operations and the impact of digital misinformation on public perception of elections.
