ABUJA,— The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called on political parties to intensify voter mobilisation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the Area Council elections on February 21.
Speaking at INEC’s quarterly consultative meeting with party leaders on Thursday, Amupitan urged parties to push eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the distribution window closes on February 10, warning that failure to do so could disenfranchise many residents.
He also cautioned politicians and supporters against hate speech, violence and inducement at polling units, saying vote-buying “subverts the democratic will” and would attract legal consequences. The warning comes as INEC and civil society groups continue to raise concerns about declining voter turnout and public trust in elections.
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, Amupitan said INEC has already finalised its timetable under the current legal framework but is watching developments in the ongoing Electoral Act amendment process at the National Assembly. He said delays in concluding the amendment could affect aspects of implementation, though the commission is prepared to proceed if needed.
His remarks come amid controversy over the Senate’s handling of result-transmission provisions in the amendment bill. While Senate leaders and some lawmakers say electronic transmission was retained, several reports indicate the chamber rejected language that would have made real-time electronic upload mandatory, leaving the issue to harmonisation with the House version.
Amupitan also warned against double registration during the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, saying offenders risk being removed from the register as part of INEC’s broader cleanup efforts before 2027.
With just over two weeks to the FCT vote, the commission is pressing parties to shift from rhetoric to ground mobilisation, arguing that stronger participation is essential to election credibility and democratic legitimacy.
