The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commissioned a new BVAS storage facility in Kogi State to strengthen its technological preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
The facility, located in Lokoja, was commissioned on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, during his North-Central Zonal Readiness Assessment.
Speaking at the ceremony, Amupitan said the facility was designed to address operational challenges associated with storing and maintaining the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices.
He explained that improper storage conditions and inadequate cooling systems could affect the performance of the equipment, making dedicated storage facilities necessary across states.
According to him, the initiative would ensure that BVAS devices were kept under appropriate conditions to maintain optimal performance, preserve battery life and extend their operational lifespan.
The chairman expressed satisfaction with the completed project and formally approved the facility for use during the 2027 general elections.
He also acknowledged the quality of construction, particularly the foundation, structural protection, electrical connections and equipment installations.
Amupitan disclosed that the Commission would continue working with its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department to address additional requirements, including the relocation and installation of equipment racks.
He congratulated the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner and the management of the state office on the project, describing it as an important addition to the state’s electoral preparedness.
The commissioning formed part of the Commission’s nationwide readiness assessments ahead of the January 16 and February 6, 2027 elections.
During the visit, Amupitan also sought the support of traditional rulers in Kogi State to ensure peaceful, credible and inclusive elections.
Addressing the Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers, he identified community leaders as important partners in preventing electoral violence, political thuggery and the spread of misinformation.
He appealed to the royal fathers to mobilise eligible voters for Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collection, discourage political violence and help tackle misinformation and disinformation.
On PVC collection, the INEC chairman disclosed that the Commission was implementing a decentralised exercise across the 774 Local Government Areas, including all 21 LGAs in Kogi State, with collection points moved closer to citizens at ward level.
He urged traditional rulers to encourage eligible voters to collect their cards, stressing that voter registration must translate into actual participation on election day.
Amupitan also warned about emerging threats associated with artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes, fabricated media content and deliberately circulated false information capable of misleading voters and undermining public confidence in elections.
He called on traditional institutions to work with INEC’s state and local government offices to verify information before sharing it within their communities.
Reaffirming the Commission’s neutrality, he declared that INEC had no candidate and was committed to ensuring that all lawful votes cast by Nigerians were accurately counted and declared.
The chairman further disclosed that INEC had completed nine of the 14 major operational milestones outlined in its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections.
He added that Nigeria’s voter register had exceeded 103 million registered citizens, underscoring the scale of the administrative and technological responsibilities confronting the Commission.
Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Vice President of the Kogi State Council of Chiefs and Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Muhammad, pledged the Council’s support for the Commission.
He described Amupitan’s appointment as a source of pride to the people of Kogi State and promised the traditional institution’s cooperation in promoting peaceful coexistence and credible elections.
In another engagement, the INEC chairman met with personnel of the Kogi State office at the Professor Mahmood Yakubu State Collation Centre in Lokoja to assess their preparedness for the forthcoming elections.
He emphasised the importance of professionalism, effective coordination, timely distribution of election materials and proper deployment of technology.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kogi State, Dr. Alh. Shehu L. Wahab, described the chairman’s visit as a morale booster and reaffirmed the commitment of personnel across the state’s 21 LGAs to professional conduct.
The engagements formed part of INEC’s wider efforts to assess its infrastructure, personnel, logistics and technological capacity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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