Amupitan Links Procurement Reforms To Credible Elections.
Ahead of the 2027 General Election, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has identified procurement reforms as central to delivering credible and transparent elections.
He made this known at the opening of a three-day capacity building workshop on procurement for National Electoral Commissioners and members of the Commission’s management team in Lagos. The workshop was held in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS).
Represented by National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Amupitan said strengthening procurement systems is vital to sustaining public confidence in the electoral process.
He noted that the evolving nature of electoral management requires proactive leadership, institutional discipline and alignment with global best practices.
According to him, procurement often seen as a routine administrative task is the backbone of electoral operations, covering ballot materials, technology, logistics, training and personnel deployment.
“When procurement is handled with integrity, it becomes the bedrock of public confidence. When it is compromised, it becomes the fault line through which trust collapses,” he said.
Reflecting on his 159 days in office, the INEC Chairman described the period as critical for consolidating reforms and repositioning the Commission, stressing that capacity building must remain continuous.
He also highlighted the significance of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly the amendment to Clause 28, which reduced the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 to 300 days.
Amupitan said the shorter timeline demands meticulous planning, faster procurement processes and stronger interdepartmental coordination.
In line with the new framework, he announced that Presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
He said the early release of the timetable provides clarity for political parties, candidates, security agencies and voters, while giving INEC adequate time to prepare logistics and deploy technology.
“Transparency begins with certainty,” he added.
In his remarks, the Resident Representative of KAS in Nigeria, Tobias Ruettershof, commended INEC for prioritising procurement capacity, noting that credible elections are built on strong institutions and transparent systems.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale A. Adeline, described procurement as a strategic national function critical to democratic stability.
He urged INEC to adopt technology driven solutions, diversify suppliers and strengthen internal controls to mitigate risks linked to technology, vendor dependence and global supply chain disruptions.
The ceremony also featured the unveiling of the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election, reflecting what the Commission described as an early and deliberate planning approach.
