The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uncovered a plot targeting its ad hoc staff, particularly members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), with suspects arrested and set to face prosecution.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during the commission’s South-East Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment for the 2027 general election in Enugu.
According to the commission’s Daily Bulletin, Amupitan said the Department of State Services (DSS) helped identify those behind the alleged plot.
He said INEC had identified potential security risks to its ad hoc personnel and taken measures to neutralise the threats.
The chairman added that the commission would organise a security conference soon to address other concerns relating to election security.
Amupitan said INEC had also strengthened its partnership with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) as part of efforts to improve security arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.
He explained that the commission was working with security agencies at the national and state levels, using its Election Risk Management tools to develop an intelligence-driven security framework.
Beyond security concerns, the INEC chairman identified declining public trust, voter apathy, and the spread of misinformation and disinformation as major challenges facing the commission.
He warned that false reports and manipulated content could spread rapidly 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 noted that lapses in the commission’s administrative processes could make false narratives more convincing, stressing that the conduct of electoral officials remained critical to countering misinformation.
“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 INEC would respond through greater transparency, prompt official communication and strict adherence to operational procedures at polling units.
The chairman also warned commission staff against partisan conduct, negligence, extortion and ethical violations.
“Partisan leaning, administrative negligence, extortion, or compromised ethics will not be tolerated under my leadership,” he said.
Amupitan further reminded staff that Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2026 requires electoral officials, including Electoral Officers, Presiding Officers and Returning Officers, as well as participating security personnel, to swear an oath of loyalty and neutrality.
He urged officials to base their decisions on the law rather than political interests.
“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?’” he said.
The meeting formed part of INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general election, with the commission seeking to strengthen operational readiness, staff discipline and election security.