INEC: Amupitan Outlines Infrastructure, Voter Education Priorities

When Professor Joash Amupitan walked into Room 107 of the Senate New Wing on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, it was more than a courtesy visit.

It marked the beginning of a new working relationship between Nigeria’s electoral umpire and the lawmakers charged with shaping the legal framework of the nation’s democracy.

Barely weeks into office as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Amupitan used his maiden interactive session with the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters to clearly signal his priorities: electoral reform, stronger infrastructure and sustained voter education as the cornerstones of a more credible and resilient electoral system.

Accompanied by the full leadership of the Commission, including National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission and his technical aides, the INEC Chairman underscored the significance he attached to the engagement.

Across the room sat the lawmakers whose oversight and legislative responsibilities directly influence how elections are conducted, led by Committee Chairman, Senator Simon Bako Lalong, alongside Senators Adams Oshiomhole, Tony Nwoye, Ireti Kingibe, Ede Dafinone, Emma Nwachukwu, Kelvin Chukwu and Sunday Katum.

In his opening remarks, Professor Amupitan described the Senate Committee as a critical pillar in Nigeria’s democratic architecture, noting that its decisions reverberate through every election cycle.

He thanked the Senate for what he called a rigorous but necessary confirmation process, describing it as an early demonstration of institutional collaboration rooted in constitutional order.

That collaboration, he recalled, was tested almost immediately after he assumed office. One of his first major assignments was overseeing the Anambra Governorship Election of November 8, 2025.

The election, he told lawmakers, was concluded in a single day, an outcome he described as both encouraging and instructive.

According to him, the success of the exercise reflected improved inter-agency coordination and the support of the National Assembly and other stakeholders. At the same time, it exposed gaps in logistics and operational efficiency that must be addressed ahead of future elections.

Professor Amupitan reminded the Committee that Nigeria’s electoral process operates within a delicate tripartite framework, the Constitution, the Electoral Act and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines.

While the Commission has the mandate to conduct elections and issue operational rules, he stressed that its authority must always align with the Constitution and the laws enacted by the National Assembly.

He welcomed the opportunity for INEC to contribute to ongoing constitutional and electoral amendment processes, noting that sustainable reforms require shared ownership and legislative backing.

Looking ahead, the INEC Chairman said his leadership would focus on supporting the National Assembly to deliver meaningful electoral reforms, strengthening infrastructure, and deploying technology in ways that enhance transparency, credibility and inclusiveness, without undermining due process or constitutional boundaries.

He acknowledged growing public expectations and skepticism around elections, emphasizing that trust can only be rebuilt through strict adherence to the rule of law and institutional integrity.

Voter education, he said, would also receive renewed attention. An informed electorate, Professor Amupitan noted, remains one of the strongest safeguards for credible elections.

He added that logistics, often the unseen backbone of electoral success, will be central to preparations for upcoming polls, including the 2026 FCT Area Council election and other off-cycle elections, all of which depend on the timely conclusion of electoral reforms by the National Assembly.

Earlier, Senator Simon Bako Lalong set the tone for the session, welcoming the INEC leadership and describing the meeting as a milestone in the collective effort to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

He congratulated Professor Amupitan on his appointment, noting that he assumed office at a time of heightened public expectations and rapidly evolving challenges, from technology and voter education to security, logistics and public trust.

Senator Lalong reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to providing legislative support, constructive oversight and policy guidance, stressing that credible elections remain the foundation of democratic legitimacy.

He was careful to draw a clear line between oversight and interference, assuring INEC of the Senate’s respect for its constitutional independence.

The session, he said, was not meant to be ceremonial, but a platform for frank dialogue and sustained collaboration.

As the meeting drew to a close, one message stood out clearly: Nigeria’s electoral future will be shaped not by institutions working in isolation, but by deliberate cooperation, reform-driven leadership and an unwavering commitment to democratic principles.

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