The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has trained its personnel from Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja to enhance professionalism, transparency, and public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the event on Monday in Lafia, Mallam Abubakar Mohamed, Nasarawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), said the capacity-building is part of efforts to address voter apathy, misinformation, and concerns over the credibility of the electoral process.
He said that the personnel which include Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs) and Voter Education Desk Officers, were drawn from all the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the three states and FCT.
Mohammed noted that public confidence can only be earned when electoral officers continue to demonstrate competence and neutrality at every stage of the election.
“The training aimed to strengthen the knowledge, skills and professional capacity of the personnel to effectively perform their statutory and operational responsibilities in planning the election.
“Your role is critical to improving voter participation, voter awareness, and ultimately public trust in the electoral process,” he added
The Residents Electoral Commissioner further explained that the officers would be equipped with the necessary skills to engage stakeholders at the grassroots.
He said that the success of any election begins with timely dissemination of accurate information to the voters to understand the procedures of election before casting their votes at the polling units on election day.
Also speaking, Hajiya Safiya Garba, Head of Department (HOD) of Voter Education, Gender, Publicity and Inclusivity in Nasarawa State said that eligible voters stayed away from election venues at previous elections because they think their votes would not count.
“The participants and of course all staff of the commission must now become ambassadors of democracy who can explain to people why participation matters,” she added.
The HOD further said that the participants are closer to the people at the grassroots; as such they would enlighten women, youths, persons with disabilities, and rural communities on the significance of political participation.
“From markets to campuses, from town halls to social media, we must meet voters where they are and give them correct information, about elections” she said. (NAN).