The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for stronger collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to address voter apathy, misinformation and low civic engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the call on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by NOA Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
He described the engagement as a key institutional partnership aimed at strengthening democratic participation and voter education across the country.
Amupitan stressed that improvements in electoral technology would not achieve their full impact without public understanding and trust in the process.
He noted that while tools such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) have improved election management, citizens must remain engaged and well-informed for democracy to work effectively.
The INEC chairman therefore advocated a broad grassroots voter education drive that goes beyond election-day awareness to explaining the value of voting and the safeguards introduced to protect electoral integrity.
He also urged that voter education be tailored to reach different segments of society, including rural communities and young voters, in clear and relatable language to rebuild confidence in the system.
Amupitan cited recent elections in the FCT and Ekiti State as examples of improved electoral performance, particularly in terms of accreditation and result transmission, but acknowledged that voter turnout and public understanding remain challenges.
He warned that voter apathy and misinformation continue to pose serious risks to democratic growth, noting the spread of false information as a major factor discouraging participation.
The INEC chairman assured the NOA of the commission’s readiness to work closely on joint voter education campaigns and public enlightenment programmes ahead of the 2027 elections.
