Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
Nigeria’s electoral process is getting a strategic boost with the appointment of a new National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission, as preparations intensify for a fresh round of elections across the country.
Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (rtd.) has officially joined the Commission, bringing with her a blend of military discipline, legal expertise, and prior experience in electoral logistics an asset seen as critical to strengthening the credibility and coordination of upcoming polls.
Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment, as INEC announces Saturday, June 20, 2026, for the conduct of bye-elections in six states. The elections will hold simultaneously with the Ekiti State Governorship Election 2026, a move aimed at consolidating resources and improving efficiency.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, said the elections will fill key legislative vacancies, including senatorial seats in Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers, and Ondo States, alongside a State Assembly seat in Kebbi and a House of Representatives seat in Kano State.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to delivering transparent and credible elections, noting that preparations are already in top gear.
For Malafa, the task ahead is clear. She has pledged to contribute meaningfully to strengthening the electoral system and ensuring the success of forthcoming elections, describing her new role as an opportunity to support national stability.
Training Reforms to Boost Credibility
Beyond the appointments and election timetable, INEC is also tightening its internal processes. The Commission has launched a comprehensive review of its electoral training framework through a combined Post-Election Training Audit and Pre-Training Assessment.
The exercise, coordinated by The Electoral Institute, focuses on lessons learned from recent elections, including the Anambra governorship poll and the FCT Area Council elections.
Acting Director-General of the institute, Ibrahim Sani, stressed that the competence of poll workers remains central to public trust in elections, warning that lapses in training could undermine credibility.
The review covers key areas such as personnel recruitment, training quality, logistics, stakeholder collaboration, and the use of technology in election management.
INEC says the outcome will directly shape preparations for upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, with a focus on improving efficiency, transparency, and voter confidence.
With a new commissioner on board and reforms underway, the Commission is positioning itself to deliver smoother, more credible elections as Nigeria heads into another critical electoral cycle.