The success of the next year’s general elections seems to be hanging in the balance with a warning by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that funding constraints could undermine election logistics and security ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Also, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, warned police officers against taking sides, colluding with political actors or harassing voters during the general elections, saying those found culpable would be investigated and punished.

Both INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, and the IGP gave the warning yesterday in Owerri, Imo State, at the sixth edition of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026).

The conference, with the theme, ‘Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Election’, brought together senior officers and stakeholders to deliberate on election security ahead of the 2027 polls.

Amupitan said financial resources were critical to the ability of INEC and security agencies to deploy personnel, electoral materials and other resources required for the smooth conduct of elections across the country.

He noted that while INEC’s funding was provided as a first-line charge, the commission had extensive responsibilities, including elections at different levels of government, as well as voter and political party registration.

“Sometimes, it is not what you would like to do that you are able to do because of financial constraints. The system does make allocations of what is available and what is affordable at a particular time for the expenses and appropriation of the agencies, including the police and also including INEC,” he said.

According to the chairman, INEC conducts elections for the President, Vice President and National Assembly, as well as governorship and Houses of Assembly, adding that the commission was also responsible for voter registration, which he described as the foundation of the electoral process.

The chairman also highlighted the role of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in coordinating the activities of INEC and security agencies.

ICCES, he noted, has evolved from an arrangement established after the 2011 general elections, in response to concerns over post-election violence, into a structured platform for election-security coordination.

He urged relevant authorities to provide the necessary resources to enable INEC and security agencies to discharge their responsibilities effectively during the 2027 elections.

THE IGP said the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) must remain neutral and professional throughout the electoral process, stressing its responsibility to protect citizens and enforce the law rather than influence political outcomes.

“Any officer who takes sides, harasses voters, colludes with political actors or abuses power during these elections will be investigated and punished,” he said.

Disu said the Force would remain firm against electoral violence while ensuring that officers operate within the law.

“We protect citizens and enforce the law. We do not decide political outcomes. We will be firm against violence, but always within the law,” he said, directing police officers on election duties to understand the rules governing the use of force.

“Force must be a last resort, lawful and proportionate,” he added.

According to him, the police will also work with INEC and security agencies to ensure effective coordination before and during the elections.

“No agency secures an election alone; so we will hold joint exercises with INEC and sister agencies and set clear lines of command and communication before an incident, not after,” he said.

The next Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and House Assembly elections hold on February 6, 2027.