By Joy Odor, Gombe
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Gombe State has commenced a one-day monthly capacity building workshop aimed at strengthening election administration and preparing personnel for the upcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and the 2027 General Election.
Declaring the training open at Hajiya Amina Inuwa Hall, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Gombe State, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, said the programme underscores INEC’s commitment to building a robust, efficient, and credible electoral process.
Speaking on the theme “Capacity Building: A Tool for Successful Election Administration”, Dr. Idris stressed that capacity development for both permanent and ad-hoc staff is vital to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
“From voter registration to post-election audits, every phase demands precision, impartiality, competence, and professionalism,” he said. “This training is not a formality; it is an investment in the integrity of our elections and the vibrancy of our democracy.”
The REC highlighted that the workshop would cover critical areas such as technological competence with INEC’s digital tools, the Innovative Voter Enrolment Device (IVED), Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
He urged participants to approach the session with an open mind, adding that the Commission would adopt practical simulations, a “Train the Trainer” model, and robust monitoring to strengthen institutional capacity.
Dr. Idris reaffirmed that the credibility of the 2027 General Election will hinge on the success of the CVR exercise and the preparedness of INEC staff to meet operational, logistical, and security challenges.
“By investing in your capacity, we are investing in the future of our democratic nation,” he told participants, expressing confidence that the knowledge gained will help deliver elections that are efficient, transparent, and trusted by Nigerians.
The workshop, attended by INEC staff and relevant stakeholders, forms part of the Commission’s monthly training series to ensure continuous professional development in line with evolving electoral challenges and technologies.
