The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun its Training of Trainers (ToT) program at the Electoral Institute (TEI) in Abuja.
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According to the Commission, the training is part of preparations for the smooth resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The intensive capacity-building session, which commenced on Monday, brought together master trainers who will be responsible for passing on both technical and legal knowledge to Registration Officers (ROs) nationwide.
Speaking at the opening of the programme, the Chairman of the Board of The Electoral Institute, Prof Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, represented by Nwanneka Nwala, emphasised the critical importance of the CVR in laying the groundwork for credible elections.
“The CVR exercise is the first key activity in the electoral cycle. Free, fair, credible, inclusive, and transparent elections begin with a credible Register of Voters (RoV),” Prof. Zuru stated, highlighting the role of an updated and accurate voter register in achieving electoral integrity.
According to the BEI Chairman, the online phase of the CVR will commence on Monday, 18th August 2025, followed by the physical in-person registration from Monday, 25th August 2025.
He explained that the current ToT is a crucial preparatory step towards equipping INEC officials with both legal and technical capabilities required for the voter registration exercise.
Prof Zuru disclosed that the Commission has introduced significant improvements to the CVR process, including the digitisation of registration procedures, enabling eligible Nigerians to begin the process online and complete it at a designated centre, time, and date of their choosing. This innovation, he noted, is aimed at “easing voter enrolment and decongesting registration centres,” thereby enhancing access and inclusion.
He explained that the Electoral Institute designed the ToT to ensure that trainers are well-versed in both the Electoral Legal Framework and the technical operations of the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) and its accessories. These trainers are expected to replicate the knowledge at the state and local government levels, ultimately building the capacity of Registration Officers across the federation.
“There is no shortcut to success,” Prof. Zuru said pointedly. “The only way to guarantee optimum performance by our ROs is through sustained and thorough training. You must therefore commit yourselves fully to this process.”
He also stressed the importance of trainers familiarizing themselves with the Electoral Act 2022, the CVR Guidelines, and related regulations in order to deliver effective and compliant voter registration services.
Prof Zuru expressed appreciation to the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, and other members of the Commission for their support and approval of the training exercise. He called on participants to view their roles not merely as routine duty, but as a shared responsibility in delivering “transparent, credible, acceptable, and inclusive elections” for Nigeria.
The training, which is being coordinated by The Electoral Institute, signals INEC’s readiness to resume voter registration nationwide with a strengthened team of trained personnel and improved technology, geared towards boosting public confidence and participation in the electoral process.
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