2027: INEC tasks officers on continuous, strategic voter education

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned against the spread of misinformation, rumours, and misconceptions capable of undermining citizens’ understanding of the electoral process ahead of 2027 general elections.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Sokoto State, Mr. Umar Yusuf-Garba, gave the warning on Monday at a capacity-building programme for voter education desk officers and Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs) on grassroots voter education and enlightenment in Sokoto.

Yusuf-Garba, who was represented by the Administrative Secretary in Sokoto, Aliyu Bello, said INEC had a responsibility to ensure that accurate, timely, impartial, and accessible information reached citizens, particularly those at the grassroots.

He urged the officers to utilise appropriate traditional communication methods, such as town criers and megaphones, alongside modern channels, including social media, to reach a wider audience.

“We must utilise appropriate traditional methods like town criers and megaphones, and modern channels like social media, as well as work constructively with relevant stakeholders such as traditional institutions and religious leaders.

“Our strategy must be responsive to local circumstances, particularly in rural, remote, and hard-to-reach communities,” he said.

The REC reminded the participants that they were important agents of voter education and public engagement and should not see themselves merely as administrative personnel.

He said the effectiveness of the commission’s voter education activities at the grassroots depended heavily on their professionalism, creativity, commitment, and ability to communicate effectively.

“I, therefore, expect that, following this programme, you will return to your areas of responsibility with a renewed understanding of the need to make voter education continuous, strategic, targeted, and measurable,” he said.

Yusuf-Garba also urged the participants to use the programme to strengthen coordination among Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states, and identify approaches that would make grassroots voter education more effective and impactful.

He expressed confidence that the commitment and professionalism of the officers would improve grassroots voter education and contribute to a peaceful, credible, inclusive, and participatory electoral process in 2027.

In his remarks, the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Abdullahi Saleh-Dawa, stressed the importance of voter education to the consolidation of democracy.

He charged the participants to take voter education beyond traditional channels and deepen engagement at the grassroots, especially among citizens with limited access to formal or digital sources of electoral information.

According to him, the desk officers and AEOs are critical links between the commission and the electorate, and urged them to communicate accurate and timely electoral information to improve citizens’ understanding of the electoral process.

“Our focus must be on ensuring that citizens understand how, when, and where to participate in the electoral process, while also promoting peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections,” he advised.

Saleh-Dawa urged the participants to pay particular attention to groups that might face barriers to participation, including women, young people, persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities.

“We must therefore be prepared to take our messages to communities, markets, schools, religious, and traditional institutions.

“We must also work collaboratively with stakeholders, while maintaining the professionalism, impartiality, and credibility expected of the commission,” he added.

The HOD identified misinformation and disinformation as major challenges in the current information era.

He, therefore, called on the participants to identify misleading information, provide timely clarification, and consistently direct citizens to credible and official sources of electoral information.

Saleh-Dawa reiterated INEC’s commitment to ensuring peaceful, credible, free, fair, and inclusive elections, citing the recent Osun governorship election as an example.

It was reported that participants at the capacity-building programme comprised voter education desk officers and AEOs from Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi states.