“Votes Cannot Be Counted On Social Media” – INEC Tells Nigerian Youths Ahead Of 2027 Elections

• INEC has admitted that challenges during the 2023 presidential election affected public confidence in the electoral process.
• The commission is urging young Nigerians to obtain their PVCs and participate in the 2027 elections, while revealing plans to use drones to monitor electoral offences.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has admitted that challenges experienced during the 2023 presidential election affected public trust in the electoral process, urging Nigerian youths to participate actively in the 2027 general elections.

The commission made this known on Thursday, November 5, 2026, during a stakeholders’ roundtable on voter education and youth participation organised by Kimpact Development Initiative in Abuja.

INEC’s Deputy Director of Voter Education, Paula Iwenjiora, who represented the Director of Voter Education, Etta-Messi, acknowledged the commission’s shortcomings during the 2023 presidential election.

She explained that heavy traffic on INEC’s website affected the process, adding that improvements were later made during the governorship elections.

The official said, “I don’t blame people because we have deficit trust because of what happened the last time.”

Iwenjiora, however, expressed confidence in the commission’s current leadership under Chairman Joash Amupitan and encouraged Nigerians not to lose faith in the electoral process.

She also urged young people to obtain their PVCs and understand the importance of participating in elections, warning that social media engagement alone would not influence electoral outcomes.

She said, “Votes cannot be counted on social media. Your PVCs cannot be counted on social media. If you don’t come out as a youth, if you’re not interested, that’s your future you’re giving over to somebody else.”

INEC also disclosed plans to deploy technology, including drones, to capture electoral offences such as vote-buying.

Meanwhile, Kimpact Development Initiative’s Executive Director, Bukola Idowu, urged young Nigerians to overcome distrust and frustration, noting that credible elections required strong institutions and active citizen participation.