The safety of election workers has emerged as a major concern ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, following the arrest of suspects allegedly linked to a plot targeting ad hoc personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission, particularly members of the National Youth Service Corps.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this in Enugu during the commission’s South-East zonal interactive meeting with staff and readiness assessment for the forthcoming elections. According to the chairman, the Department of State Services uncovered the alleged plot, and the suspects are expected to face prosecution.

Amupitan said the commission had identified potential threats to its temporary election workforce and taken steps to address the risks. The development has placed the protection of personnel expected to support election operations firmly on the agenda as INEC intensifies preparations for 2027.

To strengthen its response, the commission plans to convene a security conference and deepen cooperation with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security. Amupitan said INEC was also working with security agencies at national and state levels, using Election Risk Management tools to develop an intelligence-driven approach to election security.

Beyond physical threats, the INEC chairman identified misinformation, disinformation and deepfake videos as risks capable of damaging public confidence in the electoral process. He warned that false reports and unverified claims spreading online could mislead voters and create uncertainty before and during the elections.

Amupitan said the commission would counter these challenges through transparency, timely official communication and strict adherence to operational procedures at polling units. He also warned electoral personnel against partisan behaviour, negligence, extortion and other ethical breaches, stressing that officials must not allow political interests to influence their duties.

The chairman further reminded staff of the provisions of Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2026, which he said requires relevant electoral personnel and participating security officials to swear an oath of loyalty and neutrality. As preparations continue, INEC faces the task of protecting election workers, strengthening coordination with security agencies and maintaining public trust in the integrity of the 2027 polls.