The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday inaugurated an Electoral Logistic Committee, ELOC, to strengthen preparations for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, at the inauguration in Abuja, described the event as a proactive step to ensure that the 2027 general elections are defined by seamless execution and operational excellence.
Mr Amupitan said that as preparations towards the elections intensifies, the primary focus of INEC was on strengthening the pillars that support the nation’s democratic process.
He described logistics as one of the most critical of those pillars, noting that by inaugurating the committee, INEC was laying the foundation for a transparent, efficient, and credible election.
“History has shown that the success of any election depends largely on logistics.
“No matter how advanced our technology or how robust the ability of the process is ultimately judged by what a voter finds, by whether a voter finds it fully used, open, equipped, and ready at the appointed time.
“Election logistics involve intricate movement of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials by land, sea, and air. It requires precision, security, and timeliness. This is why we are starting early,’’ he said.
Amupitan explained that in seeking to address the complexities of moving men and materials across the vast and varied terrain of Nigeria, INEC opted for a multi-agency approach, chaired by National Commissioner, retired Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa.
He expressed confidence that Malafa’s distinguished career and expertise, combined with specialised skills of members drawn from the military and paramilitary bodies, would provide the discipline and strategic oversight needed for the assignment.
“The inclusion of our security and logistics experts from various arms of service underscores our resolve to treat election logistics as a matter of national priority,’’ he added.
The committee’s terms of reference according to Amupitan is to assess the total logistic requirement for the general elections; to develop a comprehensive plan for the storage, distribution, deployment, and retrieval of all election materials.
The committee, he said, is expected to audit the readiness of INEC warehouses, vehicles, and transport hubs including airports and seaports, identify gaps at all levels and recommend corrective measures, ensure the timely delivery of all materials to every corner of the country;
The committee is to monitor compliance with all approved logistic plans and schedules, identify and mitigate risk including transportation, bottlenecks, shortages, and security threats.
The INEC chairman said that the committee is also expected to coordinate seamlessly with INEC departments, state offices, and all relevant stakeholders.
Mr Amupitan advised the committee members to see their task as a heavy one, saying that the commission expects nothing less than absolute dedication
“We must anticipate the weather, the terrain, and the security environment to ensure that no Nigerian is disenfranchised due to late arrival of materials. In conclusion, 2027 general election is a marathon, not a sprint,’’ he said.
Earlier, Chairperson of the E-LOC, Malafa, said that the success of the upcoming election depended heavily on the strategic foresight and the seamless execution of INEC actionable timelines.
Mr Malafa tasked the committee to approach the responsibility with patriotic dedication and professional excellence, saying this national assignment demands speed, precision and coordination.
“Over the years, the commission has established inter-agency management bodies to execute complex operational tasks and handle election logistics at each electoral cycle.
“Managing election logistics is the operational bedrock of our democratic process, directly impacting electoral integrity and public confidence,’’ she said.
She listed the terms of reference for the committee to include strategic air and cargo planning; bottlenecks and inadequacy mapping; transport coordination, security; as well as terrain and risk mapping.
Members of the committee are Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Correctional Service, Central Bank of Nigeria, Civil Aviation Authority, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria.
Others are: Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, and Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria.
NAN