The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Taraba State has intensified preparations for the 2027 general election, with plans to strengthen security across the state’s 16 local government areas and 168 registration areas.
The preparations include a strategic Election Project Plan establishing performance targets for electoral officers, alongside measures to protect election personnel and materials, improve technological readiness and ensure compliance with electoral timelines.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Sa’ad Umar Idris, disclosed this during a series of engagements with INEC staff, electoral officers and critical stakeholders between October 17 and 20, 2026.
At an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting held on October 20, heads of security agencies in the state agreed on an integrated security framework to support ongoing Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection and preparations for the 2027 polls.
The framework provides for security deployments to INEC offices across the 16 LGAs, identification of high-risk areas, improved coordination of security logistics and rapid-response arrangements to address emerging threats.
It also includes security measures for designated electoral facilities, such as strongrooms and collation centres, as well as protection for voters and electoral personnel during PVC collection.
As part of the preparations, Idris unveiled the Taraba Election Project Plan at meetings with electoral officers from the state’s 16 LGAs, outlining operational responsibilities ahead of the elections.
The plan focuses on institutional neutrality, transparency, inclusion, technological integrity, early recruitment and training of ad hoc election personnel, and sustained collaboration with security agencies.
Idris urged electoral officers to maintain strict neutrality and professionalism, warning that partisan conduct by Commission personnel would attract disciplinary action in line with the INEC Staff Handbook.
He also directed the officers to meet statutory deadlines and strengthen engagement with traditional rulers, community leaders, political parties and other stakeholders at the grassroots.
The REC further emphasised the importance of assessing logistics and infrastructure, ensuring the timely movement of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials, maintaining the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and preparing for voter register verification and PVC distribution.
The security and operational measures are part of INEC Taraba’s broader efforts to improve electoral preparedness and deliver credible, free, fair and inclusive elections in 2027.