The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said procurement reforms are key to the commission’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
He made this known on Monday during the opening of a three-day capacity-building workshop on procurement for National Electoral Commissioners and members of INEC’s management team in Lagos.
The workshop, organized in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), is aimed at strengthening procurement systems and improving the commission’s readiness for future elections.
Representing the chairman at the event, National Commissioner Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu said transparent and efficient procurement is important for maintaining public trust in the electoral process.
According to Amupitan, procurement may appear like a routine administrative task, but it is a vital part of election operations. He explained that ballot materials, election technology, logistics, training, and deployment of staff all depend on proper procurement processes.
“When procurement is handled with integrity, it becomes the foundation of public confidence. But when it is compromised, it weakens trust in the electoral process,” he said.
The INEC chairman also reflected on his first months in office, noting that the period has been focused on strengthening reforms and preparing the commission for upcoming electoral challenges. He stressed that continuous capacity building for staff is necessary to improve election management.
During the workshop, INEC also unveiled the revised timetable for the 2027 general elections.
According to the schedule, presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
Amupitan explained that releasing the timetable early will help political parties, candidates, security agencies, and voters prepare ahead of time. It will also give the commission enough time to procure materials, deploy technology, and train personnel.
He added that the timeline for election preparations has become shorter following amendments to the Electoral Act, which reduced the notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days.
Also speaking at the event, the Resident Representative of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Nigeria, Tobias Ruettershof, praised INEC for strengthening procurement capacity at a crucial stage of the electoral cycle.
In his keynote address, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale A. Adeline, described procurement as an important national function that supports credible elections.
He advised INEC to adopt technology-driven procurement systems, diversify suppliers, and strengthen internal controls to reduce risks related to technology acquisition and supply chain challenges.
The workshop brought together electoral commissioners, senior officials of the commission, development partners, and experts. It is expected to strengthen INEC’s institutional capacity as preparations continue for the 2027 general elections.
