Daniel Otera
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a firm stand against premature electioneering in Nasarawa State, issuing a stern warning to political aspirants engaging in campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections. This move, coupled with preparations for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise set to commence on 18 August 2025, underscores INEC’s commitment to upholding electoral integrity and ensuring a level playing field for all political actors.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday, 14 August 2025, in Lafia, Nasarawa State, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Shehu Wahab, raised alarm over what he described as “the disturbing indiscriminate abuse of campaign posters and billboards by aspirants before the official campaign period.” According to Dr Wahab, such actions contravene the Electoral Act 2022 and threaten the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
“This not only undermines the electoral process but also sets a precedent that can erode the standards of political conduct in the country,” he stated, urging stakeholders to “collectively advocate for adherence to the electoral guidelines and promote a culture of respect for the democratic process”.
The Electoral Act 2022, specifically Section 94(1), stipulates that public campaigning by political parties and candidates must commence no earlier than 150 days before the polling day and must cease 24 hours before the election.
With the 2027 general elections still over a year away, INEC has not released the official timetable, rendering current campaign activities unlawful.
Dr Wahab highlighted a specific case, noting, “There is an aspirant who sponsored an advertisement and produced jingles, calling on the people to turn out for the CVR. The worst part is that the aspirant clearly mentioned his aspiration for the 2027 election in the advertisement and jingles”. This violation prompted INEC to reiterate that mobilising citizens for voter registration is the commission’s sole responsibility, not that of political aspirants.
The warning in Nasarawa aligns with INEC’s broader efforts to curb premature campaigns nationwide. On 4 August 2025, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, issued a similar caution, citing a “growing wave of endorsements” for certain candidates, particularly in support of President Bola Tinubu’s potential second term. Oyekanmi emphasised that “any open campaign or canvassing votes for the 2027 General Election is not only inappropriate but also a violation of the Electoral Act”.
INEC’s warning comes as the commission prepares for the CVR exercise, a critical component of its preparations for the 2027 elections. The CVR, scheduled to begin with online pre-registration on 18 August 2025 and in-person registration on 25 August 2025, aims to enhance voter access and ensure an updated voter register.
Dr Wahab explained, “The idea of CVR is deliberately crafted to allow for voter mobility, correction of details, and fresh registrations for those who did not do so before or those who turned 18 after the last exercise”.
The exercise will cover fresh voter registrations, voter transfers, updates to voter information, and the replacement of lost, defaced, or damaged Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs).
According to Sale El-Mahmoud, INEC’s Director of Operations in Nasarawa, the CVR will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, at INEC’s headquarters in Lafia and across the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. This structured approach ensures accessibility for Nasarawa’s diverse population, which, according to the National Population Commission (NPC), stood at approximately 2.8 million as of 2023. INEC’s data from the 2023 general elections shows that Nasarawa had 1,209,893 registered voters, with 489,512 (40.4%) participating in the governorship election, highlighting a significant voter turnout gap that the CVR aims to address.
Nationwide, the CVR is part of INEC’s broader strategy to maintain an accurate and inclusive voter register. As of August 2025, Nigeria’s voter register includes 96.3 million registered voters, according to INEC’s latest report. However, the commission estimates that approximately 5 million new voters, primarily youths who turned 18 since the 2023 elections, are eligible to register. The CVR, running from 18 August 2025 to 30 August 2026, will be conducted at INEC’s state and LGA offices, as well as other designated centres, to accommodate this demographic. INEC’s emphasis on preventing underage and multiple registrations is critical, as data from the 2023 elections revealed 1,247 cases of electoral infractions, including 87 instances of multiple registrations, leading to prosecutions in 12 states.
INEC’s crackdown on premature campaigns reflects deeper challenges in Nigeria’s electoral landscape. Political analyst Dr Chidi Okonkwo argues that early campaigning often stems from a “culture of impunity” among politicians who seek to gain an unfair advantage.
“When aspirants start putting up billboards and jingles years before the official campaign period, it creates an uneven playing field and undermines public trust in the electoral process,” he told The Guardian in a recent interview. Okonkwo’s view is supported by data from the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, which reported that 62% of respondents in a 2024 survey expressed concerns about the impartiality of electoral oversight due to early campaign activities.
Moreover, premature campaigns can exacerbate voter apathy, a persistent issue in Nigeria. According to the African Electoral Institute, Nigeria’s voter turnout has steadily declined, from 43.7% in 2011 to 34.8% in 2019 and 28.6% in 2023, among the lowest in Africa. In Nasarawa, the 2023 governorship election saw only 40.4% turnout, despite a robust voter education campaign. Political scientist Amina Yusuf suggests that premature campaigns may overwhelm voters, leading to disengagement.
“When citizens see campaign materials years before an election, it can create fatigue and cynicism, reducing their willingness to participate,” she noted in a Vanguard op-ed.
INEC’s proactive stance in Nasarawa could serve as a model for other states. The commission’s call for stakeholders to discourage underage and multiple registrations aligns with its mandate to ensure a credible voter register. In 2023, INEC invalidated 23,100 PVCs nationwide due to irregularities, including 9,200 cases of underage registration, according to a report by The Punch. Dr Wahab’s warning that “anyone caught would face sanctions” signals a zero-tolerance approach to electoral malpractices, which could deter future violations.
The stakeholders’ meeting in Lafia, attended by representatives from political parties, civil society organisations, and community leaders, highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining electoral integrity. Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, chairman of the Nasarawa State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), commended INEC’s efforts but urged the commission to enforce sanctions consistently. “Warnings are good, but we need to see action against violators to deter others,” he said during the meeting.
INEC’s actions in Nasarawa underscore a data-driven approach to electoral management. By leveraging the CVR to update the voter register and enforcing the Electoral Act against premature campaigns, the commission aims to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic framework. The CVR’s focus on inclusivity targeting new voters, transfers, and corrections addresses the 5.7% growth in Nigeria’s voting-age population since 2023, estimated at 104 million by the NPC. Additionally, INEC’s digital infrastructure, including the online pre-registration portal launching on 18 August 2025, reflects a commitment to modernising electoral processes. In 2023, 12.3% of voter registrations were completed online, a trend INEC hopes to expand.
Despite INEC’s efforts to streamline the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process, several challenges remain that could hinder widespread participation. These challenges include limited access to registration centres in rural areas, low internet penetration (which stands at 42.7% nationwide as of 2024, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission), and gaps in public awareness.
To address these issues, INEC has planned an X-Space discussion on 18 August 2025, featuring Victoria Eta-Messi, aimed at boosting public engagement and providing clarity on the CVR process. This initiative is part of the commission’s broader strategy to ensure that all eligible voters have an opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
In addition, INEC has strengthened its collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs) and the media. During the 2023 elections, the commission partnered with 47 organizations to facilitate voter education in 28 states, further underscoring the importance of collective efforts to ensure that the electorate is well-informed and ready to participate in future elections.