The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has inaugurated an Electoral Logistics Committee to coordinate the movement of election materials ahead of the 2027 general elections, with a mandate to ensure timely delivery and minimise operational disruptions.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, inaugurated the committee at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, appointing a National Electoral Commissioner, retired Rear Admiral Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq, as its chairperson.
Amupitan described preparations for the elections as a marathon rather than a sprint, emphasising the need for early planning, effective coordination and efficient resource deployment to ensure a smooth electoral process.
He said logistics remained central to credible elections, noting that the timely availability of essential materials at polling units was necessary to enable eligible voters to exercise their franchise without unnecessary delays.
According to him, the committee would address the challenges of transporting sensitive and non-sensitive election materials across Nigeria’s diverse terrain by road, air and water. It would adopt a multi-agency approach involving security agencies, the military, paramilitary organisations and relevant transport institutions.
The committee is expected to assess logistical requirements, develop comprehensive plans for the storage, distribution, deployment and retrieval of election materials, and evaluate the readiness of warehouses, vehicles, airports, seaports and other transport facilities.
Its responsibilities also include identifying logistical gaps, monitoring compliance with delivery schedules and developing strategies to address transportation bottlenecks, material shortages and security threats.
Amupitan urged members to discharge their duties with dedication and professionalism, stressing that Nigeria’s geographical diversity required flexible arrangements to reach communities in difficult locations.
From the creeks of the Niger Delta to remote communities in the northern regions, he said, INEC must establish resilient logistics systems capable of ensuring that election materials arrive at their destinations on time.
He added that no eligible Nigerian should be disenfranchised because of delays in the delivery of election materials, stressing that adequate preparation was essential to transparent, efficient and credible elections.
In her remarks, Abubakar-Sadiq described logistics as the operational foundation of the democratic process, noting that its effectiveness directly affected electoral integrity and public confidence.
She said the committee would draw lessons from previous elections, identify weaknesses in existing arrangements and develop a strategic plan to improve the deployment of election materials.
She listed airlift and cargo planning, land and maritime transportation, the identification of operational bottlenecks, and the mapping of difficult terrain and security-sensitive locations among the committee’s priority areas.
The committee would also develop transportation and security arrangements for high-risk areas and submit a comprehensive report containing practical recommendations and clearly defined operational timelines.
Abubakar-Sadiq proposed establishing specialised subcommittees, where necessary, to oversee airlift operations, land and maritime transportation, storage and security.
She disclosed that the Central Bank of Nigeria would handle the receipt, storage and distribution of sensitive election materials through its nationwide branch network.
The chairperson also emphasised the importance of collaboration among government institutions, INEC state offices, transport unions and other stakeholders to ensure the secure and timely movement of electoral materials.
The inauguration was attended by INEC national commissioners and representatives of the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs.
Representatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Nigerian Ports Authority were also present.
Other stakeholders included representatives of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, maritime workers and relevant security and transportation institutions.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, was represented by the Commissioner of Police, Dr Abayomi Shogunle.
The inauguration marks part of INEC’s early preparations for the 2027 general elections, as the commission seeks to strengthen its operational capacity and prevent logistical failures from disrupting voting or undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
