The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over voter apathy, vote buying and the spread of misinformation and disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Commission consequently called for intensified grassroots voter education and enlightenment to ensure that eligible citizens understand their rights and responsibilities, as well as the electoral process.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Prof. Adeniran Tella, made the call in Ibadan on Monday at a one-day capacity-building workshop for State Voter Education Desk Officers and Assistant Electoral Officers from Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states.

Tella said the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend not only on what happens on Election Day but also on the level of voter education and public enlightenment carried out months before the polls.

He identified voter apathy, vote buying, misinformation and disinformation, as well as the difficulty of reaching citizens in both urban and remote communities, as major challenges requiring innovative voter education strategies.

According to him, voter education officers must take accurate electoral information to the grassroots and engage communities through channels that are accessible and trusted by the people.

He urged the officers to intensify engagements with traditional institutions, youth and women groups, community organisations and other stakeholders, while also leveraging community radio, local newspapers, markets, religious institutions and social media platforms.

Tella said voter education should cover critical aspects of the electoral process, including voter registration, voting procedures and the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

He urged the officers to take voter education beyond conventional venues by visiting markets, motor parks, schools, farms and other locations where people gather.

The REC also charged them to serve as trusted sources of electoral information by verifying information before dissemination and correcting misinformation patiently and accurately.

He stressed the need for closer collaboration between INEC, civil society organisations and community-based groups to expand the reach and effectiveness of voter education ahead of the elections.

Tella said the capacity-building workshop was designed to equip voter education officers with the knowledge and strategies required to effectively mobilise citizens and promote informed participation in the 2027 electoral process.

He maintained that sustained grassroots enlightenment would be critical to building public confidence, increasing voter participation and strengthening the credibility of the elections. (The Guardian)