The new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has pledged to defend Nigeria’s electoral laws and uphold the Constitution.

He said this while speaking to journalists shortly after his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

“As you are aware, I have just taken the oath of allegiance and also the oath as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“I reaffirm that I will defend the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as far as they relate to the electoral system,” he told journalists on Thursday.

Amupitan added that President Tinubu had given him a clear mandate to ensure credible, fair, and free elections across the country.

“Not only will I ensure that this is done, I will also engage all stakeholders. No matter how you measure success, you need all stakeholders to succeed,” he stated.

He declined to speak on the forthcoming Anambra election, saying he would do so after receiving briefings from national commissioners.

Earlier on Thursday, President Tinubu swore in Amupitan as INEC Chairman, a week after the Senate confirmed his appointment following a rigorous screening on October 16.

The new chairman later arrived at the INEC headquarters in Abuja to formally assume office, accompanied by his family and close friends.

Amupitan is the sixth substantive head of the electoral body since the return of democracy in 1999.