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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has charged its personnel to uphold professionalism, accountability and timely service delivery as it prepares for the 2027 general election, stressing that public confidence in the electoral process depends partly on how effectively officials respond to citizens’ needs.

The Commission gave the charge on Friday in Abuja during its 2026 Customer Service Week celebration, held at its conference hall under the theme, “Going the Extra Mile.”

The event followed a fitness and health awareness walk and a sensitisation exercise on Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection by staff of the Commission earlier in the day.

Speaking on behalf of INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee, Prof. Rhoda Gumus said every staff member was an ambassador of the Commission, adding that interactions with voters, political parties, colleagues and members of the public shaped perceptions of the institution.

She urged personnel to take ownership of their responsibilities, find practical solutions to challenges and assist citizens beyond the minimum requirements of their duties.

Gumus stressed that excellent customer service should not be limited to an annual celebration but become an enduring institutional culture.

She noted that the Commission’s ongoing electoral activities, including the display of the voters’ register and distribution of PVCs ahead of the 2027 general election, required efficient service to enable eligible citizens to participate in the electoral process.

The National Commissioner also emphasised the need for prompt responses to correspondence, adherence to due process in contract administration and accessible channels through which citizens could obtain information and engage with the Commission.

While acknowledging the importance of adequate funding and infrastructure, she urged staff to demonstrate courtesy, competence, responsiveness and integrity in their dealings with the public. She added that continuous training and staff welfare were essential to sustaining service standards.

The Commission also called on political actors and other stakeholders to comply with electoral laws, participate responsibly in the democratic process and promote tolerance and dialogue rather than electoral malpractice and violence.

In her remarks, the Acting National Coordinator of the Presidency’s Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM), Mrs. Helen Lawal, commended INEC for organising the event, describing it as a reminder of the need for public institutions to continually improve the quality of their services.

Lawal said customer service excellence required deliberate efforts to exceed expectations through efficient, responsive and citizen-focused service.

She emphasised that improving service delivery was a collective responsibility requiring cooperation across departments rather than isolated efforts by individual officers.

According to her, public servants should anticipate citizens’ needs, provide clear guidance, demonstrate patience and empathy, and take responsibility for complaints until they are resolved.

She also called for greater consideration for vulnerable groups, particularly older persons and persons with disabilities, stressing that residents of rural communities should not be disadvantaged in accessing public services.

Explaining the visual identity of the Customer Service Week celebration, Lawal said the road-sign motif symbolised direction, commitment and the journey towards exceeding customers’ expectations. She added that the colours represented trust, professionalism, energy, appreciation, transparency and commitment.

She urged INEC personnel to reflect these values in their daily responsibilities and ensure that quality service remained a consistent practice rather than an activity reserved for special occasions.

The SERVICOM delegation, led by Lawal, included Mrs. Ngozi Akinbodewa, Head of Operations; Mr. Adelabu Aderemi, Public Awareness Manager; Mrs. Nena Oleg, Desk Officer; and Mr. Emmanuel Ututtah, Cameraman.

Also in attendance were National Commissioners Prof. Kunle Ajayi, Chairman of the Board of the Electoral Institute, and Prof. Sunday Aha, Chairman of the Board of Survey and Technical Committee on Equipment Acquisition (BOSTEAC), alongside members of management, directors, heads of departments and other staff.

As preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum, INEC’s emphasis on service delivery highlights the importance of accessible electoral information, efficient voter services and prompt attention to citizens’ concerns. The effectiveness of these services will remain an important part of the Commission’s engagement with voters and its efforts to sustain public confidence in the electoral process.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).