Olayiwola Mercy
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, led a high-level INEC delegation to South Korea for the International Election Observation Programme running from May 29 to June 5, 2026. The programme is organized by South Korea’s National Election Commission and brings together election management bodies, electoral experts, and international observers from different countries to monitor and exchange knowledge on local government elections. The opening ceremony was held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Seoul, marking the start of a week-long engagement focused on benchmarking electoral practices.
Amupitan was accompanied by 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 presence of INEC’s training and technical leadership underscores the Commission’s intent to gain practical insights that can be applied to Nigeria’s electoral process. INEC said the delegation was assembled to ensure that lessons from the observation cut across administration, observation methodology, and staff capacity development.
The South Korean Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections cover metropolitan councils, provincial councils, and heads of local government across the country. For INEC officials, this presents an opportunity to see how a large-scale, synchronized election is managed from voter accreditation to results collation. The Korean system is known for early voting, biometric verification, and technology-driven logistics, all areas Nigeria has been reforming in recent years.
As part of the programme, the INEC team observed early voting operations at a polling centre in Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul. Early voting in Korea allows citizens to cast ballots ahead of election day, helping to reduce congestion and improve turnout. The delegation was exposed to the operational structure, staff deployment, and logistics that make early voting work, including queue management and security arrangements.
INEC stated that participation in the International Election Observation Programme is expected to deepen the Commission’s understanding of emerging trends and global best practices in election administration, observation, and governance. The Commission has been working to strengthen transparency and efficiency ahead of Nigeria’s future electoral cycles, and exposure to Korea’s nationwide simultaneous election model provides a reference point for planning complex multi-level polls.
The visit also aligns with INEC’s broader commitment to continuous learning and institutional development. Since assuming office, Prof. Amupitan has emphasized collaboration with stakeholders and the adoption of innovations that improve voter confidence. The Korean experience with election technology, voter education, and administrative coordination is expected to inform ongoing reforms around BVAS deployment, result transmission, and staff training.
The South Korean National Election Commission designed the programme to foster exchange and cooperation among election bodies worldwide. Participants engage in discussions, compare election laws, and visit relevant institutions to understand how different democracies handle common challenges like voter registration, campaign regulation, and post-election disputes. For INEC, such exchanges help adapt international standards to Nigeria’s specific context without losing local relevance.
With Nigeria’s next electoral cycle approaching, lessons from Seoul are expected to feed into INEC’s preparations. The Commission expressed optimism that the knowledge gained would contribute to improved election management and strengthen democratic governance at home. Political observers note that regular participation in international observation programmes helps electoral institutions stay current and builds credibility with voters and partners. Given what you’ve seen about INEC’s recent reforms,
