INEC urges voter educators to rebuild trust ahead of 2027 polls
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Independent National Electoral Commission has urged its voter education officers to uphold professionalism and credibility in their engagements with Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, gave the charge on Friday at a capacity-building workshop for Voter Education Desk Officers and Assistant Electoral Officers in Akure.
The workshop brought together officials from INEC offices in Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states, with Agboke stressing the importance of effective public enlightenment in preparing citizens for the elections.
He said rebuilding confidence in the electoral process required officials to provide timely and accurate information on voting procedures, voters’ rights and responsibilities.
Agboke urged the officers to take voter education to communities in simple and accessible language, particularly reaching young voters, women, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, elderly citizens, first-time voters and residents of remote areas.
He added that effective voter education could help address voter apathy, misinformation and doubts about the value of votes, urging officers to listen to citizens, correct misconceptions and provide information based on INEC guidelines.
The Head of the Voter Education and Publicity Department in Ondo State, Olayinka Ogunseye, said the workshop was designed to strengthen the officers’ knowledge and skills, while cautioning them to disseminate only authorised information through appropriate channels.
A participant from Osun State, Adekunle Ganiyu, said the training had equipped the officers with skills to perform their duties at the local government level, pledging to intensify voter awareness ahead of the 2027 elections.
