2023 presidential poll failure won’t recur – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has taken steps to address the issues that undermined public confidence in the 2023 presidential elections, with the aim of improving the electoral process for the 2027 general elections. At a stakeholders' roundtable discussion on voter education and youth participation organized by Kimpact Development Initiative in Abuja, INEC's Deputy Director for Voter Education, Mrs. Paula Iwenjiora, emphasized the importance of active participation by young Nigerians.

She expressed concern that not voting would leave decisions about their future in the hands of others, urging them to join political parties and speak up on matters affecting their communities. Iwenjiora acknowledged that the commission's handling of the 2023 presidential election contributed to the erosion of public trust, citing heavy traffic on INEC's website as a contributing factor.

She assured that improvements were made in subsequent elections, such as the governorship polls, resulting from the leadership of the new chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN). INEC has also strengthened voter education activities through various means, including campus debates, engagements with civil society organizations, faith-based groups, and community-level providers.

Iwenjiora urged young Nigerians to leave political engagement to older generations. She emphasized that if they don't join, they won't be represented. Concerns about voter safety and the possibility of electoral violence have been addressed through a coordinated effort with security agencies like the police, military, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

INEC is also exploring the use of technology, such as drones, to capture electoral offences like vote-buying.