INEC Trains State Voter Education Chiefs on Misinformation Ahead of 2027 Elections
ISSN: 2354-4481
By Rita Onuoha
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 opened in Abuja, is designed to strengthen the capacity of INEC communication officers to provide accurate election information, combat misinformation and disinformation, and improve public confidence in the electoral process.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the training was necessary to prepare communication officers for the challenges expected during the 2027 election cycle.
Haruna said the officers would be equipped with practical skills to effectively communicate election-related information, strengthen voter education and respond appropriately to false or misleading information capable of undermining the electoral process.
He disclosed that INEC expects to consolidate a voter register of more than 100 million Nigerians following the recently suspended Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
According to him, the projected size of the voter register underscores the scale of the commission’s responsibilities ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly as political activities and campaigns intensify.
Haruna also addressed concerns over voter turnout, urging Nigerians and political stakeholders to recognise that responsibility for mobilising citizens to participate in elections does not rest solely with INEC.
He said political parties have an important role to play in encouraging voter participation and strengthening their internal democratic structures.
The Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, said the workshop would enhance the ability of state-level communication officers to manage election information effectively and communicate with the public in a timely, accurate and credible manner.
Eta-Messi said the training would also focus on strategies for identifying and countering fake news, while improving the capacity of participants to serve as effective voter education practitioners.
She commended the resource persons, Prof. Okey Ikechukwu and Mr. Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, describing them as experienced communication professionals whose expertise would contribute significantly to the objectives of the workshop.
The training features sessions on voter education, legal literacy, INEC’s communication policy, combating misinformation and disinformation, and best practices in official election communication.
The workshop comes as INEC continues its preparations for the 2027 General Election, with voter education and credible public communication expected to remain central to efforts to strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
