The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA) have raised concerns over the low level of public understanding of Nigeria’s electoral legal framework, warning that the knowledge gap is driving misinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Kwara State, PAACA Executive Director, Ezenwa Nwagwu, said much of the falsehoods circulated about Nigeria’s elections stem from a poor understanding of the laws and procedures guiding the conduct of polls.
The meeting, part of PAACA’s ongoing campaign to deepen public awareness of the electoral process, brought together representatives from INEC, security agencies, traditional rulers, the National Orientation Agency, civil society organisations, and the media.
Nwagwu said the lack of understanding of electoral laws is partly responsible for the misinformation that spreads during election seasons.
“It has been humbling to see the level of ignorance, and we are happy to use this platform to educate stakeholders and bridge that gap,” he said.
He stressed that as Nigeria moves toward the 2027 elections, prioritising voter education and sustained civic enlightenment will be critical to countering misinformation and boosting public confidence in the electoral process.
Nwagwu also expressed concern over what he described as “community collusion,” which he said undermines elections and weakens accountability at the grassroots level.
“As stakeholders, some of us are guilty. We should be agents of change beyond short-term benefits. If INEC has put power in your hands, maximise it instead of devaluing it. We should study the law because politicians study the law to use it as a tool to undermine the process,” he added.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kwara State, Hale Longpet, described the forum as timely, noting that it provides an opportunity to reflect on the gains of past elections and chart improvements ahead of 2027.
He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to educating voters and promoting participation, saying the Commission’s mandate is to deliver free, fair, and transparent elections that reflect the will of the people.
Reviewing the 2023 general elections, Longpet said that despite challenges, the polls demonstrated the resilience of Nigeria’s democracy.
He cited the Electoral Act 2022 and innovations such as the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED), the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal as measures that boosted transparency.
He, however, identified persistent issues such as premature campaigning, electoral violence, insecurity, and vote buying.
Longpet disclosed that INEC had forwarded 142 post-election recommendations to the National Assembly, with eight requiring constitutional or Electoral Act amendments.
He listed the Commission’s key priorities ahead of 2027 to include improved planning and logistics, stronger security collaboration, continuous voter education to fight apathy and misinformation, and greater transparency and accountability through technology.
