The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Taraba State has begun early preparations for the 2027 general elections, with plans to strengthen election security, improve logistics and enforce strict neutrality among electoral officials....
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Taraba State has begun early preparations for the 2027 general elections, with plans to strengthen election security, improve logistics and enforce strict neutrality among electoral officials.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Sa’ad Umar Idris, outlined the measures during a series of meetings with commission staff, Electoral Officers, critical stakeholders and heads of security agencies between October 17 and 20, 2026.
The engagements focused on the commission’s Election Project Plan (EPP), operational readiness, Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection, stakeholder collaboration and security arrangements across the state’s 16 local government areas.
At a meeting with staff, Idris urged electoral officials to uphold professionalism and impartiality, stressing that election management required careful planning, coordination and teamwork.
He also assured staff that the commission was working to improve their working conditions and operational environment.
At a separate meeting with Electoral Officers from the 16 local government areas, the REC unveiled the state’s election project roadmap, identifying institutional neutrality, technological integrity, transparency and inclusive participation as key priorities.
He emphasised the need for effective deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
The plan also provides for early recruitment and training of ad-hoc personnel, strict vetting of applicants, audits of electoral facilities and timely distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.
Idris directed Electoral Officers to assess storage facilities, generators and Registration Area Centre infrastructure in their respective jurisdictions to prevent logistical challenges during the elections.
He also called for early maintenance of BVAS devices, including hardware servicing, software upgrades and battery replacements, alongside preparations for voter register verification and PVC distribution.
At an expanded stakeholders’ meeting on October 19, representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, youth and women’s groups, the media, religious organisations, traditional institutions and disability associations discussed preparations for the elections.
The REC highlighted the importance of voter education, public sensitisation, inclusive participation and shared responsibility in delivering credible polls.
Political party representatives welcomed the early engagement and urged INEC to sustain its open-door policy, ensure equal access and provide transparent mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes.
Security agencies also pledged cooperation, while civil society organisations and media representatives committed to supporting voter education and unbiased election observation.
On October 20, the REC convened a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), bringing together heads of security agencies in the state, with the Commissioner of Police serving as co-chair.
The meeting focused on security at INEC offices, protection of electoral personnel and materials, PVC collection, threat assessments and the identification of potential security flashpoints.
According to the resolutions, security agencies are to establish joint deployments across the 16 INEC local government offices and 168 registration areas.
The committee also approved measures to protect electoral facilities and collation centres, including static security presence by the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as rapid-response arrangements involving relevant security agencies.
Security personnel are also expected to maintain order at PVC collection centres during designated collection hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., while ensuring that voters can access the facilities without intimidation or obstruction.
The committee further agreed to strengthen intelligence gathering, map high-risk areas and harmonise security logistics to improve response to emerging threats.
Idris warned electoral officials against political partisanship, saying any proven alignment with political actors or candidates would attract disciplinary action in accordance with the INEC Staff Handbook.
He also directed Electoral Officers to comply strictly with statutory timelines and replicate stakeholder consultations at the local government level by engaging traditional rulers, community leaders and political actors.
INEC Taraba said sustained implementation of the Election Project Plan and collaboration among electoral officials, security agencies and other stakeholders would be critical to delivering free, fair, peaceful and credible elections in 2027.