The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a two-day strategic communication workshop for Heads of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) from its 36 state offices and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The workshop, which is being held in Abuja, is designed to strengthen the capacity of INEC’s communication officers to tackle misinformation and disinformation while improving voter education and public confidence in the electoral process.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the training would equip communication officers with the skills required to effectively manage election-related information.
Haruna said the commission was preparing for the enormous communication demands associated with the 2027 elections, particularly in an increasingly complex information environment.
He disclosed that INEC expects to consolidate a voters’ register containing more than 100 million Nigerians following the recently suspended Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
According to him, the size of the anticipated voter register underscores the scale of the task ahead, especially as political activities and campaigns gather momentum ahead of the election.
INEC: Parties must help address voter apathy
Haruna also cautioned against attributing low voter turnout solely to INEC, saying political parties and other stakeholders have important roles to play in mobilising citizens to participate in elections.
He urged political parties to strengthen their internal democracy and take greater responsibility for encouraging their supporters and the wider electorate to participate in the electoral process.
The INEC commissioner stressed the importance of collaboration among electoral stakeholders in addressing voter apathy and strengthening democratic participation.
Also speaking, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said the workshop would enhance the ability of state communication officers to manage election information effectively.
She said participants would be equipped to identify and counter fake news while ensuring that accurate, timely and credible information reaches voters across the country.
Eta-Messi said effective communication would be critical to maintaining public trust in the electoral process ahead of the January 16, 2027 General Election.
The workshop forms part of INEC’s broader preparations for the 2027 elections, with the commission expected to intensify voter education and public information campaigns as the election approaches.
