INEC Moves to Improve Staff Welfare Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission is taking steps to improve the welfare and pay of its workers as it prepares for the 2027 general elections, with its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, saying better remuneration is necessary to strengthen accountability within the commission.

Amupitan disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while presenting INEC’s preparations for the 2027 elections at a World Press Conference. He said the commission had taken what he described as major steps to address the welfare of its personnel.

According to the INEC chairman, the commission’s workers have been among the lowest-paid employees in the country, making improved salaries an important part of efforts to demand greater responsibility from them.

“INEC staff are the least paid in Nigeria. So, we felt if we want to demand and hold our staff responsible, we should give them a living wage,” Amupitan said.

He explained that INEC was no longer operating under the regular civil service payment structure and now has a separate electoral and salary structure. The development is part of wider efforts by the commission to address challenges affecting its workforce and improve its ability to carry out its responsibilities.

The issue of staff welfare had also featured in earlier discussions between INEC and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, which said improved funding and competitive remuneration were important for retaining skilled personnel ahead of the 2027 elections.

Amupitan said INEC had identified several gaps within the electoral system and was working to address them before the next general election. He said the commission believes that dealing with the problems early would help improve the overall electoral process.

The chairman also linked the welfare of INEC personnel to the commission’s wider responsibility of ensuring that its officials can effectively carry out their duties. Better working conditions, he said, would make it possible to demand higher standards from staff.

INEC is facing a major operational responsibility as preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace. The commission has said it is working ahead of schedule to identify and address weaknesses rather than waiting until the election period before dealing with them.

Amupitan also disclosed that the commission was making provisions for possible rerun elections as part of its preparations. He said reruns are provided for under the Constitution and must therefore be considered when planning for the general elections.

The focus on staff welfare comes as INEC continues to prepare its personnel and operational systems for an election that will require a large workforce across the country. The commission has also stressed the need for its officials to remain accountable in carrying out their responsibilities.

Amupitan’s position is that improving staff pay should go together with higher expectations from INEC personnel. In his view, giving workers better conditions provides a stronger basis for demanding professionalism and responsibility from those involved in the electoral process.

The development is also expected to form part of broader efforts to strengthen INEC ahead of 2027, particularly as the commission works to address identified weaknesses within its structure.

With the election approaching, the welfare of electoral officials remains an important part of the preparations, as the quality of personnel and their ability to perform their duties can affect the conduct of the voting process.

INEC has continued to maintain that its responsibility is to conduct elections without favouring any candidate or political party. Amupitan recently reiterated that the commission has no candidate or party to support and that its interest is the will of Nigerian voters. punchng.com

The latest move to improve staff remuneration therefore comes as part of a wider effort to strengthen the commission’s internal capacity while preparing for the demands of the 2027 general elections.