The Independent National Electoral Commission has introduced updated voter education manuals as part of efforts to address voter apathy and increase participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement shared on its official X platform, the commission said the initiative was undertaken in collaboration with local and international partners, including the Kimpact Development Initiative.
The newly released materials comprise a revised National Voter Education Manual and a youth-oriented Civic and Voter Education Manual aimed at fostering informed civic participation, particularly among young Nigerians.
Speaking at the launch, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, raised concerns over the consistent decline in voter turnout since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999.
He observed that participation had fallen from over 60 per cent in 2003 to below 30 per cent in recent elections, attributing the trend to low motivation and inadequate voter education.
Haruna explained that the manuals were developed in partnership with KDI to enhance public understanding of the electoral process and encourage wider participation.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the INEC Chairman, National Commissioner Joash Amupitan warned that voter apathy remains a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
He referenced data from recent elections showing a widening participation gap, where a relatively small segment of the population determines leadership outcomes for the majority.
While reaffirming that the Electoral Act 2026 has strengthened transparency through improved legal provisions and electronic systems, he stressed that legislation alone cannot resolve voter disengagement.
“An indifferent electorate is a democracy in retreat,” the keynote address stated, urging sustained investment in civic education to rebuild trust and participation.
In his remarks, Team Leader of KDI, Bukola Idowu, described the initiative as a strategic intervention rather than a routine document unveiling.
He said the revised manual reflects current electoral laws, technological developments and evolving patterns of political engagement, while the youth-focused version is designed to involve young people as voters, educators and agents of change.
Providing further details, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said the manual had been extensively updated to align with the Electoral Act 2026.
She highlighted key additions, including provisions on party primaries, campaign finance rules, electoral offences, and the continued use of technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
According to her, the revised manual is organised into 11 modules and incorporates global best practices, alongside expanded digital engagement strategies to reach Nigeria’s increasingly tech-savvy population.