The Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) has said lack of knowledge about electoral laws, processes, and tools remains one of the biggest obstacles to credible elections in the country.
PAACA Executive Director of PAACA, Ezenwa Nwagwu, noted this concern at a Citizens’ Town Hall Meeting on Electoral Reform held in Owerri, Imo State.
The town hall organised by PAACA, and supported by the MacArthur Foundation, drew participants from representatives of civil society groups, security agencies, traditional institutions, political parties and the media.
Ezenwa in his opening remarks, stressed that voter ignorance creates fertile ground for manipulation by political actors, adding that genuine reform must begin with equipping citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions and hold the system accountable.
“We must stop treating civic knowledge as optional. People can’t defend their votes if they don’t understand the rules or how results are transmitted. Technology alone won’t save our democracy — we need informed participation,” he said.
The PAACA boss therefore called for a sustained sensitisation campaign to deepen citizens’ understanding of the reforms and technological innovations introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of 2027 general elections.
He highlighted key innovations such as the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal, and other digital platforms designed to improve transparency and limit rigging.
According to him, many voters and even political parties still do not fully understand how these systems work, which allows misinformation and blame-shifting to flourish.
He also criticised political parties for fielding untrained or non-committed polling agents who abandon their duties mid-election and later blame INEC for electoral irregularities.
The event forms part of PAACA’s nationwide civic engagement drive aimed at promoting electoral transparency and deepening democracy ahead of 2027.
Discussions focused on enhancing civic awareness, strengthening electoral institutions, and promoting peaceful elections.
Also speaking at the event, the Imo State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Oparaugo Stellamaris Chimezirim, reiterated the agency’s commitment to citizen engagement, equity, and justice.
She said Nigeria’s democracy can only grow through continuous voter education and active civic involvement.
Representatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Police Force, and civil society echoed the need for collaboration, education, and reform to improve electoral credibility and reduce violence.
Participants at the town hall proposed a range of people-driven recommendations to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of 2027. Key among these was the call for sustained grassroots civic education to counter widespread voter ignorance and apathy, especially in rural communities.
They also urged INEC to intensify the deployment and public awareness of technological tools like BVAS and the IReV portal, while advocating for stronger legal backing for electronic transmission of results to boost transparency and public trust.
Further recommendations included improving accessibility for voters in hard-to-reach areas and those living with disabilities, ensuring neutrality among polling officials, and fostering greater collaboration among election stakeholders — including security agencies, civil society, and traditional institutions. Participants stressed that electoral reform must be inclusive, transparent, and legally grounded to produce credible elections and a truly representative democracy.
