The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that attacks, threats and intimidation against its officials and other election workers will attract legal consequences as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the warning on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Commission’s South-South Zonal Readiness Assessment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He said the protection of electoral personnel, including National Youth Service Corps members and other ad-hoc staff, was essential to ensuring that elections were conducted without disruption or intimidation.
Amupitan disclosed that the Commission was strengthening its security arrangements through an intelligence-driven framework known as the ICCES Tentacle, which is designed to facilitate early identification of threats and improve coordination among security agencies.
He said the objective was to ensure that potential security challenges were identified and addressed before they could undermine the electoral process.
The INEC chairman also disclosed that the Commission had completed nine of the 14 major statutory activities scheduled for the 2027 elections.
Giving an update on voter registration in the South-South, he put the region’s registered voter population at 15,823,550, with Rivers State accounting for 3,736,434.
According to the timetable presented at the briefing, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6.
Beyond the security of election workers, Amupitan cautioned INEC personnel against conduct capable of compromising public confidence in the electoral process.
He specifically warned against political bias, absenteeism, negligence and financial misconduct, insisting that officials must discharge their duties with neutrality, discipline and professionalism.
The warning comes as INEC steps up preparations for the 2027 polls, with the commission facing the task of protecting its personnel while ensuring that electoral activities proceed in a secure and impartial environment.
