Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled a set of comprehensive strategies aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral integrity and ensuring the successful conduct of the 2027 General Elections, as deliberations continued on Day Two of its Induction and Strategic Retreat held in Lagos State. The retreat, which brought together National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners, and senior management staff of the Commission, is part of INEC’s long-term preparation to address emerging challenges in the country’s electoral process and restore public confidence in elections.
The session, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, focused on voter revalidation and the credibility of the National Register of Voters, widely regarded as the backbone of any credible electoral process. Addressing participants, the Director of Voter Registry at INEC, Mr. Olatunde Gafar, underscored the constitutional responsibility of the Commission to register eligible Nigerian citizens and to continuously update the voter register in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Gafar explained that INEC has consistently fulfilled this mandate through the implementation of Continuous Voter Registration exercises and periodic clean-up of the voter register ahead of elections. However, he acknowledged that despite these efforts, the Commission still faces persistent challenges in achieving a completely credible register that is free of ineligible entries, including deceased persons, underage registrants, and duplicate records.
According to him, the integrity of the voter register remains a dynamic and complex issue, largely influenced by Nigeria’s population size, internal migration, weak civil registration systems, and the activities of individuals seeking to exploit loopholes in the process. He stressed that while technology has significantly improved voter registration and verification over the years, it must be complemented by stronger institutional collaboration and data-driven reforms.
Gafar emphasized the urgent need for deeper data integration across relevant government agencies to strengthen the voter register. He noted that closer collaboration with institutions such as the National Population Commission, the National Identity Management Commission, and other security and civil registration bodies would enable INEC to more effectively validate voter information and eliminate ineligible records. Such integration, he said, would help bridge existing gaps in identity management and ensure that only qualified citizens are captured in the electoral roll.
He also highlighted the role of improved technology in enhancing the credibility of the register, pointing to the need for continuous upgrades of INEC’s biometric systems, data storage infrastructure, and verification tools. According to him, electoral integrity in the digital age depends not only on adopting technology but also on securing systems against manipulation, cyber threats, and internal weaknesses.
The Director further noted that public participation and transparency remain critical to voter register integrity. He called on political parties, civil society organisations, and citizens to actively engage in the voter revalidation process by scrutinising the register during display periods and reporting irregularities. He argued that electoral credibility is a shared responsibility and cannot be achieved by the Commission alone.
The session on voter revalidation was moderated by National Commissioner Dr. Ken Ukeagu, who reinforced the importance of internal capacity building and strategic foresight as INEC prepares for future elections. He observed that the retreat provides an opportunity for newly appointed and serving officials to reflect on lessons from past elections and to align institutional strategies with evolving democratic expectations.
Dr. Ukeagu noted that the 2027 General Elections would present unique challenges, including increased voter expectations, heightened political competition, and greater scrutiny of electoral processes. He stressed that INEC must be proactive rather than reactive, particularly in areas such as voter registration, logistics planning, technology deployment, and stakeholder engagement.
Beyond voter register integrity, the retreat also examined broader themes related to electoral governance, institutional independence, and public trust. Participants discussed the need to strengthen internal accountability mechanisms, improve staff training, and enhance communication with the public to counter misinformation and distrust surrounding elections.
INEC officials reiterated that early and deliberate planning is essential to avoid the operational pressures that typically accompany election periods. They noted that addressing structural issues well ahead of 2027 would reduce the risk of logistical failures, legal disputes, and credibility gaps that have undermined previous electoral cycles.
The Lagos retreat forms part of a broader reform agenda being pursued by the Commission to consolidate gains made in recent elections while confronting lingering weaknesses. Over the past decade, INEC has introduced several innovations, including biometric voter registration, smart card readers, and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System. While these measures have improved transparency, officials acknowledge that technology alone cannot solve systemic challenges without corresponding improvements in governance and inter-agency cooperation.
Observers say the emphasis on voter register integrity reflects a growing recognition within INEC that flawed voter data remains one of the most contentious issues in Nigerian elections. Allegations of inflated registers, ghost voters, and underage registration have frequently fuelled post-election disputes and eroded confidence in electoral outcomes.
By placing voter revalidation at the centre of its strategic retreat, INEC appears to be signalling a determination to tackle these issues decisively ahead of 2027. Analysts argue that successful implementation of the proposed reforms could significantly strengthen the credibility of future elections and reduce the incidence of litigation and political unrest.
As the retreat continues, expectations remain high among stakeholders that the resolutions reached will translate into concrete actions rather than policy statements alone. Civil society groups and political actors are closely watching to see whether INEC’s renewed focus on data integration, technology, and collaboration will deliver a cleaner and more credible voter register in the years ahead.
For now, the Commission maintains that it is committed to upholding its constitutional mandate and to delivering elections that reflect the genuine will of the Nigerian people. With the 2027 General Elections still two years away, INEC’s early engagement on critical issues such as voter register integrity may prove decisive in shaping the future of Nigeria’s democratic process.
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