2027 elections: Taraba REC cautions staff against political bias

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Taraba state, Dr Sa’ad Umar Idris, has warned electoral officers and other commission’s staff against political partisanship ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Idris said any staff member found to be aligned with political actors or candidates would face disciplinary action in line with the provisions of the INEC Staff Handbook.

The REC gave the warning during strategic meetings with INEC staff, electoral officers from the state’s 16 local government areas and critical stakeholders as part of efforts to strengthen preparations for credible elections in 2027.

He stressed that electoral officials, as umpires, must maintain the highest standards of neutrality, professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.

Idris also unveiled the Taraba State Election Project Plan, outlining key performance indicators and operational strategies designed to ensure transparent, inclusive, free and fair elections.

He directed electoral officers to adhere strictly to statutory timelines, improve logistical preparedness, ensure the readiness of election technologies, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and strengthen voter education and stakeholder engagement.

The REC further urged electoral officers to conduct regular consultations with traditional rulers, community leaders and political actors in their respective local government areas to promote public confidence in the electoral process.

At a separate meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), Idris worked with security agencies to strengthen election security arrangements across Taraba State.

The committee resolved to establish coordinated security deployments across the state’s 16 local government areas and 168 registration areas, identify potential security flashpoints and protect INEC offices, electoral personnel and materials.

The arrangements also include measures to ensure the safe and uninterrupted collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and protect voters from intimidation and other forms of electoral interference.

Political parties, civil society organisations, the media, religious groups, traditional institutions and other stakeholders who participated in the engagements pledged support for voter education, electoral security and transparent election administration.

Idris said effective implementation of the Election Project Plan, coupled with strict adherence to professional standards and sustained collaboration with stakeholders, would be critical to delivering credible elections in Taraba state in 2027.