The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a nationwide baseline workshop to identify and address operational risks strengthen election monitoring and ensure effective preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
The two-day workshop organised by the Commission’s Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) opened on Monday at the Media Centre in Rivers State with a focus on operational Amber and Red Zones considered critical to election preparations.
The exercise is designed to assess the Commission’s level of readiness improve field reporting and strengthen mechanisms for identifying potential challenges before they disrupt electoral activities.
Speaking at the opening Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem said the success of the 2027 elections would depend largely on early planning continuous monitoring and rigorous readiness assessments.
He said the election was no longer a distant event stressing that preparations must begin well ahead of election day through proactive risk identification and timely intervention.
‘The success of that election will not be decided on election day alone-it is being built right now through foresight meticulous planning and rigorous readiness evaluations’ Sinikiem said.
He urged participants to identify operational risks early and develop strategies to address them before the commencement of voting.
Representing the REC the Administrative Secretary Dr. Angela Ebohdaghe said the workshop’s emphasis on high-risk operational zones was necessary to prevent field-level failures and logistical bottlenecks.
She stressed the importance of proactive planning and effective coordination in ensuring that electoral operations were conducted smoothly.
Participants alongside the Head of Department Planning and Monitoring also reviewed the status of distribution of non-sensitive election materials from INEC headquarters to state offices.
Technical sessions at the workshop focused on validating EMSC checklists standardising data collection and verification processes improving field reporting and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of personnel assigned to election monitoring operations.
The workshop is expected to strengthen INEC’s capacity to detect emerging challenges improve operational coordination and ensure timely interventions as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.