The Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) has called on political parties, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to critically examine the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) election guidelines and reviews as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a town hall meeting in Sokoto, organized in collaboration with the Federal Government and supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the centre emphasized the need for citizens to be adequately informed to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
PAACA noted that the majority of electoral crimes are perpetuated by political actors, warning that voter manipulation thrives when citizens lack access to the right information.
“Ninety percent of crimes during elections are committed by politicians. If citizens are empowered with the right information, manipulation becomes difficult,” said PAACA’s Executive Director, Ezenwa Nwagwu.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Sokoto State, Umar Yusuf Garba, represented by the Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Abdullahi Sale Dawa, described the town hall as a vital platform to deepen understanding of electoral processes.
Similarly, the Sokoto State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Babangida Kurfi, represented by Ms. Okeke Uche Ngozi, commended the initiative. He said the discussion was timely, offering an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on electoral reforms, consolidate progress, and identify areas needing improvement.