INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan warns that anyone attacking corps members or electoral staff will face full legal consequences.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has issued a direct warning stating that anyone who attacks, threatens, or harms election workers will face the full weight of the law.
The head of the electoral body gave the stern warning on Saturday, October 31, 2026, while addressing electoral officers during a South-South zonal interactive meeting and readiness assessment held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking to staff members, security representatives, and election officials, the INEC Chairman stressed that national youth corps members deployed across polling units are national assets who must be fully protected throughout the election period.
He noted that political thugs or miscreants trying to intimidate young corps members performing their patriotic duties will be arrested and prosecuted without mercy.
Addressing attendees on security and staff conduct during the official meeting, Professor Joash Amupitan stated:
“Anyone who threatens or harms INEC officials, including National Youth Service Corps members deployed for election duties, would face the full weight of the law.”
The electoral chief also used the gathering to warn permanent and ad-hoc staff against engaging in partisan politics, accepting bribes, or showing negligence during voting activities.
He emphasized that any worker found aiding political parties or failing to show up at polling stations will face severe disciplinary action and immediate dismissal.
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Turning his attention to voter registration figures, the INEC Chairman revealed that the South-South region currently boasts 15,823,550 registered voters, with Rivers State accounting for 3,736,434 eligible voters.
He stated that the commission is committed to ensuring that every single registered citizen gets the opportunity to cast their vote without facing administrative delay or logistical failure.
Highlighting technological preparation for upcoming elections, he disclosed that the commission is preparing its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, which include 57,000 newly purchased units, alongside conducting regular audits on its electronic result viewing portals.
Addressing ongoing investigations regarding fake pictures uploaded during voter registration, he assured the public that technical teams are actively reviewing the database to clean up all bad records before final lists are printed.
The electoral commission continues its zonal tour across the country to assess logistics, train personnel, and inspect election facilities ahead of future polls.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
