Abuja: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has projected that Nigeria’s registered voting population will surpass 100 million ahead of the 2027 general elections. Mallam Mohammed Haruna, INEC’s National Commissioner, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a strategic meeting aimed at drafting the communication and inclusivity roadmap for the upcoming elections.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Haruna, who also serves as the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), stated that the previous voter register stood at over 93 million and is expected to exceed 100 million once the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is finalized. This milestone will position Nigeria as the largest electoral democracy in Africa.
With 151 days to the first phase of the general elections, Haruna emphasized the importance of effective publicity to mobilize all eligible citizens. He noted that delivering the message to over 100 million voters would require high professional standards and urged information officers to equip themselves with relevant skills and legal knowledge.
Haruna highlighted the need for clear communication and a good understanding of Nigeria’s Constitution, the Electoral Law, and INEC’s guidelines. He also stressed the importance of being informed about other legislation like the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Acts. The focus, he said, should be on building on the success of recent off-cycle elections and working harder to deliver the freest and most credible general elections in Nigeria’s history.
In his remarks, Mr. Adedayo Oketola, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, reiterated the commission’s commitment to credible and inclusive elections under the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan. Oketola described the joint meeting as timely and essential for drafting an actionable communication and inclusivity roadmap.
Oketola warned of the threats posed by misinformation and disinformation, which could undermine voter confidence and lead to apathy. He urged for proactive, factual, and continuous public engagement to combat these challenges. He highlighted the need for aggressive, daily civic education about electoral technology and procedures to reinforce the integrity of the electoral process.
On gender and inclusivity, Oketola emphasized that electoral access for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), women, youths, and elderly voters is a constitutional right. He discussed measures such as deploying Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, and prioritizing vulnerable queues to enhance electoral access in 2027.
Victoria Eta-Messi, the Director of the Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) department, stressed the importance of grassroots voter sensitization and enlightenment. She noted that the success of these efforts largely depends on the capacity and efficiency of departmental heads and VEP officers in various states.
Eta-Messi explained that the implementation meeting provided clarity and direction for uniformity in task execution, setting the tone for the 2027 general elections. The meeting aimed to walk participants through the commission’s approved activities, highlight strategies for implementation, and ensure clear understanding of timelines and expectations.
The meeting was attended by heads of departments of VEP and Gender and Inclusivity (GandI) across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).