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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it had completed nine of the 14 activities outlined in its timetable for the 2027 general elections, as preparations for the polls gather momentum.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, represented by the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Dr. Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this during a youth engagement programme in Abuja.
The event, titled “The Electorate: A Youth Dialogue with INEC,” was organised by Abuja Global Shapers Community in partnership with Nigeria Youth futures Fund, Yiaga Africa Abuja and Enough is Enough Nigeria under the theme, “Let’s Talk About the 2027 elections.”
Haruna said the commission had recorded significant progress in implementing its electoral timetable, which coverred key activities ranging from the announcement of elections and political party primaries to the publication of the voters’ register and candidates’ lists.
He described the voters’ register as a critical component of the electoral process, noting that it would provide the basis for identifying and accrediting eligible voters on election day.
According to him, the publication of candidates nominated by political parties for various elective positions is among the activities already completed by the commission.
However, Haruna acknowledged that the initial publication of candidates’ names had generated complaints from some political parties over alleged omissions and discrepancies.
He explained that INEC had invited the affected parties to submit petitions, assuring that the commission was working to address the complaints and finalise the candidates’ list.
The National Commissioner further disclosed that INEC had increased the frequency of its meetings as the elections approached to review preparations, assess progress and take necessary decisions to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls.
He also explained the structure of the commission, comprising a chairman and 12 national commissioners responsible for policy decisions, alongside resident electoral commissioners serving across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Haruna further outlined the process for appointing national commissioners, which he said involved presidential nomination, consideration by the Council of State and confirmation by the Senate.
Earlier in her welcome speech, Mrs. Solape Sonuga, Curator, Abuja Global Shapers appreciated everyone for coming to the event and urged everybody to participate.
Mrs Sounga pointed out that 2027 elections was so important to Nigerians especially the youths and advised the participants to prepare their minds to ask important questions on prepared INEC was for the elections.
While appreciating the partners of Shapers Community Abuja for trust and the good works, Mrs Sonuga commended INEC for coming out to engage with the youth on how prepared and best to go on 2027 elections.
Mrs Sounga maintained that the engagement was more than knowing how prepared INEC was but to strengthen the youth and organisations in charge of elections in the country as well as increase voter education to make the country a better place, even after elections.
The Programme Manager for Governance at Yiaga Africa, Yetunde Bakari, called for deliberate efforts to ensure that young Nigerians participated safely and meaningfully in the 2027 general elections.
Bakari said young people were not merely spectators in the electoral process but active stakeholders who served as voters, candidates, community mobilisers and contributors to the country’s democratic future.
Citing the findings from Yiaga Africa’s voting intention survey, she disclosed that 84 per cent of Nigerians surveyed were likely or very likely to vote in the 2027 general elections.
She, however, noted that 61 per cent of respondents expressed fears that electoral violence could prevent them from participating in the elections.
Bakari added that only 40 per cent of young respondents indicated that they were very likely to participate in the polls, describing the finding as a concern that electoral stakeholders must address ahead of the elections.
Bakari stressed that encouraging young people to vote would not be sufficient without creating an environment in which their participation was safe, accessible and worthwhile.
She commended INEC’s early preparations, including online voter registration, printable Permanent Voter Cards, planned nationwide mock accreditation exercises and efforts to strengthen the governance of electoral technology and artificial intelligence.
According to her, while these initiatives represent important steps towards improving the electoral process, the commission must demonstrate its readiness in ways that citizens can clearly understand and trust.
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