By Joyce Ekeh
The Department of State Services (DSS) has uncovered and arrested suspects allegedly behind a plot targeting Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad hoc staff, particularly members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), ahead of the 2027 general election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this at the commission’s South-East Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment for the 2027 general election in Enugu.
According to INEC’s Daily Bulletin, the commission had identified potential threats to its ad hoc personnel and taken steps to neutralise them.
Amupitan said those behind the alleged plot had been apprehended and would soon face prosecution, although he did not disclose the identities of the suspects or details of the alleged plot.
He also announced plans by the commission to convene a security conference soon to address emerging threats and strengthen security arrangements for the 2027 elections.
The disclosure comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the nationwide polls, with the safety of election officials and other personnel emerging as a key consideration in its operational planning.
Amupitan said the commission had reinvigorated and expanded its partnership with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), while strengthening collaboration with security agencies at national and state levels.
He explained that INEC was deploying its Election Risk Management (ERM) tools in collaboration with security agencies to develop what he described as a “robust, intelligence-driven security architecture.”
Beyond physical security threats, the INEC chairman identified declining public trust, voter apathy, and the spread of misinformation and disinformation as major challenges confronting the commission ahead of the election.
He warned that false information could spread rapidly through digital platforms and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
“A single malicious fake news post, an unverified rumour, or a deepfake video can travel across millions of screens in seconds,” he said.
Amupitan, however, noted that the conduct of INEC personnel could either help contain misinformation or worsen the situation when administrative failures undermine public confidence.
“The conduct, competence, and character of our staff in the field are either our strongest defence against fake news, or its biggest catalyst,” he stated.
He said the commission would respond through “proactive transparency, swift official communication, and uncompromising operational precision at every polling unit.”
The INEC chairman also warned staff against partisan conduct, negligence and unethical practices, insisting that electoral officials must discharge their duties without fear or favour.
“Partisan leaning, administrative negligence, extortion, or compromised ethics will not be tolerated under my leadership,” he declared.
He reminded staff that Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2026 requires electoral personnel, including Electoral Officers, Presiding Officers and Returning Officers, as well as participating security officials, to swear an oath of loyalty and neutrality.
According to him, strict adherence to the law must guide every decision taken by election officials, irrespective of political interests or pressure.
“The question governing your actions must never be ‘Who will benefit from this decision?’ The question must always be ‘What does the law require me to do?’” Amupitan said.
He urged INEC personnel to uphold professionalism and neutrality, stressing that their conduct would be crucial to protecting the integrity of the 2027 general election.
