Abuja: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has trained electoral personnel from Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to boost voter confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections. Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, Nasarawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), disclosed this during a capacity-building programme for electoral personnel.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the participants comprised Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs) and Voter Education Desk Officers from the four jurisdictions. Mohammed stated that the training was aimed at addressing voter apathy, misinformation, and concerns over the credibility of the electoral process. He emphasized that public confidence can only be earned when electoral officers demonstrate competence, neutrality, and professionalism at every stage of the electoral process.
Mohammed highlighted that the training aimed to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and professional capacity of the personnel to effectively perform their statutory and operational responsibilities in planning the election. He noted, “Your role is critical to improving voter participation, voter awareness, and ultimately public trust in the electoral process.” The officers would be equipped with the skills required to engage stakeholders and provide accurate electoral information in their respective communities.
Mohammed explained that successful elections depended on timely dissemination of accurate information to enable voters to understand electoral procedures before casting their ballots. He urged the participants to use their positions to deepen voter education and strengthen citizens’ understanding of the electoral process.
Hajiya Safiya Garba, Head of Voter Education, Gender, Publicity, and Inclusivity Department, INEC, Nasarawa, also addressed the participants. She mentioned that some eligible voters had previously avoided elections due to beliefs that their votes would not count. Garba encouraged the participants and other commission staff to become ambassadors of democracy by educating citizens on the importance of electoral participation.
Garba emphasized the critical role of participants, who are closer to the grassroots, in enlightening women, youths, persons with disabilities, and rural communities on political participation. She urged them to take voter education to different platforms and communities to counter misinformation and improve public understanding of elections. “From markets to campuses, from town halls to social media, we must meet voters where they are and give them correct information about elections,” she said.
Garba expressed optimism that sustained voter education and professional conduct by electoral personnel would contribute to increased participation and confidence in the 2027 elections.