2023 presidential poll failure won’t recur – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has addressed the challenges that dented public trust in the 2023 presidential election by implementing improvements in its electoral processes prior to the forthcoming 2027 general elections. Speaking at a stakeholders' roundtable on voter education and youth participation, the Commission's Deputy Director of Voter Education, Mrs Paula Iwenjiora, urged young Nigerians to move beyond social media discussions and actively participate in the electoral process.

Iwenjiora warned that failing to vote would leave decisions about their future in the hands of others. She pointed out that INEC's handling of the 2023 presidential election contributed to the erosion of public confidence and explained that the commission had made improvements during the governorship elections. Iwenjiora expressed confidence in the current leadership of INEC and highlighted the chairman's efforts to improve the electoral process.

She also emphasized the importance of voter education through campus debates, engagements with various groups, and community-level voter education providers. INEC is working with security agencies to ensure voter safety and combat electoral violence, while also deploying technology like drones to capture electoral offences. The Executive Director of Kimpact Development Initiative warned that frustration, distrust, and misinformation were discouraging young people from participating in elections and urged them not to allow these factors to silence their voices.