INEC Cautions Against Premature Campaigns in Nasarawa Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to political aspirants in Nasarawa against launching premature campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dr. Shehu Wahab, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, gave the warning during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday in Lafia, as the commission prepares for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), set to begin on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Wahab expressed particular concern over the indiscriminate use of campaign posters and billboards by some aspirants, even before the official start of the campaign period.

“This not only undermines the electoral process but also sets a precedent that can erode the standards of political conduct in the country,” Wahab said, urging stakeholders to advocate for strict adherence to electoral guidelines.

He emphasized that the mobilisation of citizens for the CVR was INEC’s responsibility and expressed disapproval over politicians sponsoring advertisements in relation to the voter registration exercise.

“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,” Wahab said.

Voter Registration Details

Dr. Wahab confirmed that the online pre-registration for the CVR would begin on Monday, August 18, while the in-person registration would start on August 25. He clarified that the exercise complied with the law to ensure all eligible citizens were included in the voter register.

“The idea of CVR is deliberately crafted to allow for voter mobility, correction of details, and fresh registrations for those who did not register before or those who turned 18 after the last exercise,” Wahab explained.

He also warned against underage registration and multiple registrations, stating that anyone caught violating the rules would face sanctions. Wahab further encouraged the public to take advantage of the registration process early, rather than waiting for an extension of time at the end.

CVR Schedule and Logistics

In his remarks, Sale El-Mahmoud, the INEC Director of Operations in Nasarawa, outlined the CVR’s schedule. He confirmed that the exercise would run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily at the INEC headquarters in Lafia and in all 13 Local Government Areas of the state.

El-Mahmoud added that INEC personnel would be available at designated centres Mondays to Fridays, excluding public holidays. The registration process will cover:

• Fresh voter registration

• Voter transfers

• Updates of voter information

• Replacement of lost, defaced, or damaged Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs)