Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over what it described as frequent foreign trips.

It noted that the electoral body was embarking on such trips at a time when it should be concentrating on rebuilding public confidence ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Amupitan had headed a delegation to the inaugural ceremony of the International Election Observation Programme, IEOP, for the Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections, being held in the Republic of Korea from 29th May 29 to June 5, 2026.

The IEOP, organised by the South Korean National Election Commission, was officially launched on Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Seoul.

The event has brought together election management bodies, election specialists, and international observers from around the world to witness and share knowledge about the conduct of local government elections in South Korea.

Accompanying the INEC Chairman were National Commissioner, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu; the Chief Technical Adviser to the Chairman, Prof. Dimis Mai-Lafia; and the Director of Training, Dr Binta Kasim Mohammed.

The INEC team observed early voting at a polling centre in Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, thereby gaining firsthand knowledge of South Korea’s electoral processes and procedures.

The involvement of the INEC delegation is anticipated to enhance the Commission’s understanding of emerging trends and global best practices in election administration, international observation, and electoral governance, aligning with the Commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

HOWEVER, the rights group, HURIWA, accused the INEC chairman of prioritising international engagements over addressing growing concerns about voter apathy, electoral credibility and public trust in the commission.

In a statement issued yesterday and signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA expressed disappointment that barely weeks after an official trip to India, Amupitan had led another INEC delegation to South Korea to participate in the International Election Observation Programme (IEOP).

The group argued that the commission’s leadership should be focusing more on domestic engagement and electoral reforms rather than attending what it termed foreign “seminars and talkshops.”

The organisation claimed that confidence in the electoral body had continued to decline, warning that voter apathy could worsen if urgent steps were not taken to address concerns about the integrity of future elections.

According to HURIWA, many Nigerians remain sceptical about the commission’s capacity to conduct free, fair, transparent, and acceptable elections.

HURIWA dismissed the trip as unnecessary and wasteful, insisting that the commission should devote greater attention to restoring public trust in the electoral process.

The group warned that unless INEC addressed concerns over voter confidence and electoral integrity, the 2027 General Election could witness one of the highest levels of voter apathy in Nigeria’s history.