Jane Salihu
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has urged staff of the Commission and Nigerians to translate the discipline learnt during the Ramadan fast into a stronger commitment to electoral integrity ahead of key elections.
In a special Eid-el-Fitr message issued from the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday,
the INEC Chairman described the completion of the Ramadan fast as a victory of the spirit over personal desires, urging the Commission’s workforce to apply the virtues of patience, integrity and empathy in their duties.
Amupitan noted the significance of the 2026 Ramadan coinciding with the Christian Lenten season, describing it as a rare moment of shared spiritual reflection within the Commission. According to him, the simultaneous period of fasting and prayer by both faiths underscores a collective responsibility toward strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Addressing more than 14,000 members of staff deployed across the country’s 774 local government areas, the INEC Chairman reaffirmed his commitment to staff welfare. He cited the recent Iftar gathering organised at the Commission — the first such institutional event in eight years, as part of efforts to promote unity and morale among employees.
He, however, emphasised that professional discipline and ethical conduct remain non-negotiable, stressing that the Commission will maintain a zero-tolerance stance against misconduct as it works to rebuild public confidence and address voter apathy.
The INEC Chairman also reminded staff that the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states would serve as a critical test of the Commission’s reforms under the new Electoral Act 2026 and the deployment of technological tools such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal, ahead of the 2027 general elections
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings