2027: INEC reiterates commitment to fair, credible poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated its commitment to conducting a fair, neutral, transparent and credible 2027 general election, assuring political parties, voters and other stakeholders that all contestants would be treated equally within the provisions of the law.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Akwa Ibom State, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, gave the assurance in Uyo while speaking at a one-day capacity-building workshop organised for 51 Voter Education Desk Officers and Assistant Electoral Officers from Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

Onuoha described the workshop as an important component of the commission’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, stressing that the effectiveness of the electoral process would depend significantly on the knowledge, professionalism and preparedness of personnel responsible for implementing and explaining electoral procedures. Blueprint reports

Training critical to electoral preparation

The REC said continuous training and capacity building remained essential to improving the performance of electoral officials, particularly as the commission continues to refine its processes and introduce new measures ahead of the general elections.

He explained that workshops provide an opportunity for personnel to acquire new knowledge, understand emerging developments and improve their ability to perform their statutory responsibilities.

“The essence of training and workshops cannot be overemphasised. It is an avenue to learn new things and improve your knowledge about your duties,” he said.

Onuoha, however, cautioned the facilitators against treating the programme as another routine exercise conducted merely because it was required ahead of an election.

He urged them to approach the training with seriousness and ensure that participants gained practical knowledge that could be applied in their various areas of responsibility.

“To the facilitators, let it not be the normal ritual that we always have in every election. They are expected to learn new things from this event,” he said.

According to him, the workshop should improve the participants’ understanding of the electoral process and prepare them for the responsibilities that would arise as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

Officers asked to master INEC innovations

The REC urged the facilitators to ensure that participants were adequately exposed to the latest innovations being introduced by INEC, their responsibilities as electoral personnel and areas of conduct prohibited by electoral laws, regulations and guidelines.

He said the officers must have a clear understanding of what they were expected to do and what they were prohibited from doing in order to avoid actions capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

Onuoha said the commission’s objective was to continually update and strengthen the electoral system, expressing confidence in the capacity of INEC personnel to contribute to a credible election when properly trained and equipped.

He also linked effective training to public confidence, stressing that citizens should be able to trust the information provided by electoral officials.

“After this workshop, we should no longer have crisis of confidence from the public. If we do, then the essence of this workshop is defeated,” he said.

‘Train-the-trainer’ approach

Onuoha described the exercise as a “train-the-trainer” programme and charged the participants to pass the knowledge acquired to other personnel in their respective offices.

He said the impact of the workshop should extend beyond the 51 officers directly participating in the exercise, noting that the participants had a responsibility to become knowledge multipliers within the commission.

“Wherever you find yourself, try to update the people around you. It is important. For us here in Akwa Ibom, we only set the pace and let others follow,” he said.

The approach, he explained, would help broaden the reach of the training and ensure that more electoral personnel became conversant with INEC procedures and innovations ahead of the elections.

INEC urges media to verify political claims

The Akwa Ibom REC also used the occasion to draw attention to the responsibility of the media in the electoral process, particularly as political activities gradually intensify ahead of 2027.

He urged journalists to verify information before publishing, especially claims and materials obtained from politicians and political actors.

According to him, the failure to subject information to proper verification could result in the publication of falsehoods, which could in turn mislead members of the public and create unnecessary tension around the electoral process.

He emphasised the importance of accurate information to citizens, noting that voters require reliable information to understand electoral procedures and make informed decisions.

“Information is a raw material for decision-making. If you are properly informed, you know how to take your decisions,” Onuoha said.

His warning places additional responsibility on journalists and media organisations as the 2027 electoral cycle progresses, particularly given the speed at which political information circulates through traditional and social media platforms.

Equal access for political parties

Onuoha also assured all political parties participating in the forthcoming elections that INEC would provide equal access to information and necessary logistical arrangements in accordance with the law.

He maintained that the commission would remain fair, neutral and unbiased in carrying out its responsibilities, regardless of the political party or candidate involved.

The assurance is significant as political parties prepare for the various stages of the 2027 electoral cycle, including internal party activities, candidate selection, campaigns, voter mobilisation and other election-related engagements.

For INEC, the REC said, the responsibility is to ensure that its officials understand and apply the rules consistently while providing stakeholders with the information required to participate in the electoral process.

Voter education vital at grassroots

Earlier, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Geraldine Ekelemu, commended the participants for their commitment to duty and their preparedness for the forthcoming elections.

Ekelemu urged the officers to ensure that accurate and timely electoral information reached citizens, particularly those at the grassroots.

She stressed that voter education should not be concentrated only in urban centres, but must extend to communities where citizens may have limited access to official information about electoral procedures.

According to her, misconceptions, misinformation and inadequate knowledge of the electoral process could significantly affect citizens’ participation and ultimately have implications for the conduct of the 2027 elections.

She therefore urged the participants to use the knowledge acquired at the workshop to improve their engagement with voters and communities.

Addressing misinformation and misconceptions

Ekelemu described the workshop as an opportunity for participants to strengthen their knowledge and practical skills while sharing experiences from their different areas of operation.

She said the programme would also enable the officers to identify challenges confronting voter education and develop more effective approaches to sensitisation.

The emphasis on misinformation is particularly relevant to voter education because inaccurate information about registration, voting procedures, eligibility, polling arrangements and other aspects of the electoral process can discourage participation or create confusion among citizens.

Electoral officers therefore have the responsibility of ensuring that information disseminated to the public is accurate, timely and consistent with official guidelines.

Building public confidence ahead of 2027

The workshop in Uyo comes against the background of preparations for the 2027 general elections, with INEC expected to engage various categories of stakeholders as the electoral cycle progresses.

For the commission, preparations extend beyond the deployment of personnel and logistics on election day. They also involve voter education, public communication, staff training, stakeholder engagement and ensuring that electoral officials understand the rules governing their duties.

The role of Voter Education Desk Officers and Assistant Electoral Officers is particularly important because they operate close to communities and are expected to help bridge the information gap between the commission and citizens.

The quality of information available to voters can influence their understanding of the electoral process, while effective communication can help address misconceptions before they develop into wider disputes or public distrust.

Officers charged with responsibility

The participants were consequently encouraged to regard the workshop not simply as an opportunity for personal development but as part of their broader responsibility to strengthen the electoral process.

Onuoha urged them to transfer the knowledge gained to their colleagues and ensure that the lessons from the training translated into improved performance within their respective offices.

The REC maintained that INEC had capable personnel to deliver on its mandate, but stressed that continuous learning remained necessary if the commission was to effectively respond to changing circumstances and emerging challenges.

With preparations for the 2027 general elections continuing, the commission’s message in Uyo was that credible elections require more than election-day arrangements. They also require trained personnel, accurate information, effective voter education, professional conduct and equal treatment of stakeholders.

The workshop therefore provided an opportunity for INEC officials from Akwa Ibom and Cross River to strengthen their capacity ahead of the elections, while reinforcing the commission’s stated commitment to fairness, neutrality and credibility in the discharge of its electoral responsibilities.