The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a national training programme focused on improving inclusive voter education ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission announced this in a statement shared on its X platform on Wednesday, explaining that the two-day National Inclusive Voter Education Training was designed to equip its Gender and Inclusivity staff with the necessary skills to effectively reach citizens with different needs.
The training, supported by the Government of Canada through its Fund for Local Initiatives and organised in partnership with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), is taking place at the Exclusive Serene Hotel in Wuye, Abuja.
Participants include staff from INEC’s Gender and Inclusivity Department across the states, alongside other relevant personnel. The sessions focus on practical methods of ensuring voter information is accessible and understandable to all eligible citizens.
The initiative forms part of INEC’s efforts to promote a free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections.
The commission said its focus on inclusion had also been demonstrated through recent engagements with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and other stakeholders aimed at improving the participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process.
Speaking at the training, First Secretary, Political Affairs, High Commission of Canada in Nigeria, Colton Bridges, said Canada regarded inclusive elections and democratic processes as important elements of democratic development.
Bridges welcomed participants and acknowledged IFES for its contribution to the programme.
He explained that the project was funded through Canada’s Fund for Local Initiatives and represented one of several election-related initiatives being supported by the Canadian government as preparations for the 2027 general election continue.
He said the emphasis on inclusion reflected Canada’s commitment to ensuring that democratic and electoral processes were accessible to every citizen.
“I hope for the next two days, what you’re going to take away from it is maybe how to do it a little bit better, how to do it differently, some strategies you can use to ensure that your education is inclusive,” he said.
Bridges, who disclosed that he had taken part in election observation missions in Ondo, Anambra and Osun states, said the experiences gave him an opportunity to observe some of INEC’s efforts to promote electoral inclusion, particularly for persons with disabilities.
He noted, however, that the concept of electoral inclusion should go beyond disability.
According to him, citizens who are not fluent in English, people with limited literacy, residents of hard-to-reach communities and those without internet access may also require tailored approaches to voter education.
“People who need specific types of information or specific types of messaging” must be reached to ensure they can participate fully in the electoral process, he said.
On persons with disabilities, Bridges recognised that some difficulties affecting them, including access to education and employment, go beyond INEC’s responsibilities.
He stressed that the commission nevertheless had both the responsibility and capacity to make the electoral process accessible to persons with disabilities, allowing them to vote and exercise their franchise.
The training is expected to improve the ability of INEC personnel to provide voter education that reflects the varying circumstances and needs of eligible voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.