The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed additional collation centres in Plateau State to address delays in the collation of election results, while preparing to establish voting arrangements for internally displaced persons (IDPs) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sam Egwu, a professor and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Plateau State, disclosed this while interacting with journalists on Wednesday in Jos, saying the commission was working to improve electoral logistics and ensure inclusive participation in the elections.
Egwu said INEC had proposed six additional collation centres in Naraguta B Ward of Jos North Local Government Area to reduce delays associated with the large number of polling units.
‘We have proposed about six new collation centres in Naraguta B Ward so that we can split the polling units into those collation centres,’ he said.
The REC explained that instead of all polling units bringing their results to one location, collation would take place at different centres before the results were forwarded to a final collation centre.
He said Naraguta B Ward had about 210 polling units, while Tudun Wada Cabon Ward had more than 170, making the collation of results time-consuming.
According to him, similar arrangements were being considered for Tudun Wada Cabon and a ward in Kanam local government area to address logistical challenges associated with election result collation.
Egwu disclosed that an INEC team had visited Plateau State to assess the proposals, expressing optimism that they would be approved.
He, however, noted that implementing the proposals would require additional collation officers and budgetary provisions by the commission.
On voting by internally displaced persons, the REC said INEC was collecting data to determine the number of eligible voters who might be unable to return to their communities before the elections.
He explained that preliminary findings had identified about nine local government areas facing challenges relating to internal displacement.
Egwu said the commission was committed to ensuring that displaced persons were not disenfranchised because of their circumstances.
He added that Nigeria’s commitment under the Kampala Declaration on Internally Displaced Persons required efforts to protect the electoral rights of citizens forced to leave their homes.
The REC said INEC was engaging the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), which was arranging for a non-governmental organisation based in Plateau State to partner with the commission on IDP voting.
He explained that the commission would continue to assess the situation as the elections approached to determine whether displaced voters would need special arrangements to cast their ballots.
Egwu also emphasised the need for persons with disabilities to participate in the electoral process, describing inclusive elections as a key component of INEC’s strategic plan.
On voter registration, he disclosed that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise conducted in phases from August 2025 to 2026 had added more than three million voters nationwide.
He said INEC had received Permanent Voter Cards from the first phase of the exercise for distribution to local government areas, while cards for subsequent phases were being processed or awaited from the national headquarters.
The REC urged registered voters to collect their PVCs, stressing that the cards were necessary for participation in elections.
He explained that the commission’s limited logistics made it difficult to deliver cards to individual addresses.
Egwu also called on journalists to intensify public enlightenment about electoral preparations and hold the commission accountable.
‘We can do a lot of work within INEC, but if you do not communicate it to the public, nobody knows we are doing anything. If you want to reach the greatest number of people, we rely on you,’ he said.
He maintained that public scrutiny and stakeholder participation were necessary to strengthen electoral institutions and improve the credibility of elections.
The REC further disclosed that INEC had started receiving some non-sensitive election materials, including vehicles and mats for corps members, as part of efforts to address logistical challenges ahead of the 2027 polls.