Delta REC, Etekamba Udo-Umoren, addressing stakeholders on Wednesday in Asaba
By Mercy Neme
Asaba: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Delta says it is strengthening operational capacity, institutional neutrality and stakeholder engagement ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Delta, Etekamba Udo-Umoren, gave the assurance at a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday in Asaba.
Udo-Umoren emphasised the importance of coordination, accountability and collective responsibility in ensuring credible elections.
He described the election project plan as a roadmap for translating statutory responsibilities into specific activities, timelines, resource requirements and measurable outcomes.
He said the commission would strengthen internal coordination, monitor operations, identify implementation gaps and introduce corrective measures to ensure effective delivery.
The REC listed the commission’s priorities to include institutional neutrality, professionalism, logistics, technological readiness, security coordination, voter education and inclusive participation.
On neutrality, he reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to providing a level playing field for all political parties and candidates without discrimination.
Udo-Umoren urged electoral staff, including ad hoc personnel, to uphold integrity, impartiality, discipline and accountability, warning against activities capable of compromising their neutrality.
He said electoral officials must comply with the Constitution, Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, adding that misconduct would attract appropriate disciplinary action.
“Electoral neutrality is not the property of any political party. It is an obligation owed to every Nigerian voter,” he said.
He urged electoral officers across Delta’s 25 local government areas to sustain consultations with political parties, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders.
According to him, early engagement would help identify local concerns, resolve misunderstandings and prevent avoidable electoral disputes from escalating.
On voter registration, the REC disclosed that INEC had concluded three phases of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) between August 2025 and July.
He said Delta had 3,505,988 registered voters, based on figures contained in the INEC Chairman’s address of Oct. 26.
He urged eligible voters to verify their registration details during the display of the voters’ register and encouraged those yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so.
The REC called on political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, women’s groups and the media to prioritise peaceful and inclusive elections.
He also stressed the need to meaningfully involve persons with disabilities and their representative organisations in decisions concerning electoral accessibility.
Udo-Umoren warned against violence, threats, intimidation and inflammatory information, urging political actors to place Delta’s peace above narrow political interests.
He said political campaigns should focus on ideas, policies and programmes, adding that electoral grievances must be addressed through lawful procedures.
“No political ambition is worth the loss of human lives, destruction of property or the disruption of public peace,” he said.
He urged security agencies to sustain collaboration through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), while encouraging the media to promote responsible reporting and civil society organisations to support voter education and accountability.
The REC assured that INEC would continue preparations through staff development, logistics, technological readiness and stakeholder engagement, urging all participants to uphold their responsibilities toward credible, peaceful and inclusive elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that representatives of political parties, religious organisations, security agencies and traditional institutions, among others, attended the meeting. (NAN)
Edited by Chioma Ugboma
Source: News Agency of Nigeria
