The Niger State branch of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised to correct past electoral failures to ensure the 2027 general elections are transparent, secure, and inclusive. Dr. Oliver Tersoo Agundu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, shared these plans during a meeting in Minna with the press and civil society groups.
Agundu noted that the commission has pinpointed specific operational and logistical weaknesses from previous cycles. To fix these, INEC is coordinating with local security agencies to provide a safe environment for voters before, during, and after the polls. Special attention is being given to internally displaced persons to ensure their participation is not hindered.
The commission also plans to provide improved support for people with disabilities, demonstrating the efficacy of tools like the Braille ballot guide. Regarding voter turnout, Agundu highlighted that over 2.63 million Permanent Voter Cards have been collected since 2023. However, he urged the owners of the remaining 69,000 unclaimed cards to pick them up, as the card is a mandatory requirement for voting in 2027.
