The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made this known on Saturday while overseeing operations at the Commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, Amupitan explained that operational challenges identified ahead of the by-elections in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states were promptly resolved.
“Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution.
“Whatever administrative or field challenges arose in before the day of the elections, the Commission was able to nip them in the bud effectively. We remain committed to refining our processes so that every subsequent exercise reflects higher standards of efficiency and public confidence.”
The Commission held four legislative by-elections on Saturday. They took place in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency of Kano State, Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies of Bauchi State, and Udu State Constituency of Delta State.
Amupitan described the elections as significant operational exercises that would help the Commission identify lessons and improve preparations for the 2027 general election.
He noted that every off-cycle election serves as an opportunity to test the Commission’s preparedness for the general election and emphasised that no electoral exercise should be treated as insignificant or routine.
“These four bye-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the Commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 general election.
“We must resist the temptation to view any exercise as merely an ordinary bye-election. Every election is a critical component of our broader preparations for the 2027 general election, allowing us to continuously audit our logistics framework, stress-test our technological deployment, and evaluate administrative field readiness,”
The INEC chairman monitored the elections alongside National Commissioners and senior management officials, receiving operational updates from the affected states.
Amupitan also commended officials in the Situation Room, especially the technical team, for supporting the smooth monitoring of the elections across the four states and enabling the Commission to evaluate field operations effectively.