The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has projected that Nigeria’s voter register will cross the 100 million mark ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The projection was made on Tuesday in Abuja by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
Haruna spoke during a joint implementation meeting of the Departments of Voter Education and Publicity and Gender and Inclusivity.
He said the last register stood at over 93 million voters, while the recently concluded Continuous Voter Registration exercise was expected to push the total above 100 million.
Haruna noted that the growth would place heavier demands on INEC in the areas of logistics, technology, security, voter education and public communication.
With 151 days to the first phase of the 2027 elections, he charged INEC information officers nationwide to begin aggressive public enlightenment campaigns.
“Our job is to give the widest and most effective publicity to all five sets of elections to mobilise all Nigerians of voting age to choose their leaders. This job is at once simple and complex,” he said.
The national commissioner urged officers to communicate in simple, civil and accessible language that could reach millions of eligible voters.
He stressed that officials must also have a solid grasp of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, INEC guidelines, the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act.
Haruna said INEC could not afford to rely on the successes of recent off-cycle polls, such as the Osun election, and must aim to deliver the freest and most credible elections in Nigeria’s history.
The meeting came amid rising concerns over misinformation, disinformation, voter apathy and public distrust ahead of 2027.
INEC Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, said the commission remained committed to credible, peaceful and inclusive elections.
He described the Abuja meeting as timely for developing an actionable communication and inclusivity strategy.
Oketola said while technology and logistics were important, the Voter Education and Gender departments were the “human face and voice of INEC”.
“You build public trust, simplify complex procedures, and ensure that no eligible citizen is left behind,” he stated.
He warned that fake news and hostile narratives could be used to undermine confidence in INEC and discourage voter turnout.
“The antidote to disinformation is proactive, factual, and continuous public engagement,” Oketola added.
He said INEC must explain technologies such as BVAS and the IReV portal in simple terms, including their limitations and safeguards.
Oketola also noted that the commission must reinforce understanding of the open secret ballot system.
He emphasised inclusivity, saying access for persons with disabilities, women, youths and the elderly was a constitutional right, not a concession.
He cited measures such as Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, prioritised queues and expanded youth registration as examples of initiatives for the 2027 elections.
The Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said success at the grassroots would depend on heads of department in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.