INEC starts training for election supervisors

The Independent National Electoral Commission has kicked off a training for state coordinating supervisors of the Electoral Operations Support Centre. This training aims to improve how quickly and accurately electoral incidents are reported before the 2027 General Election.

INEC shared the news on its X handle on Wednesday. The training, organized by its Electoral Operations Department, will help state coordinating supervisors learn the skills needed to manage EOSC activities and train the staff who will support the elections.

At the training, Jibril Mohammed, the Deputy Director of Operations, spoke on behalf of the Director of Electoral Operations, Isa Magaji. He said the program aims to build teams that can provide timely and reliable operational support across Nigeria.

Mohammed described the EOSC as a key platform that helps the Commission monitor events on the ground. He said it ensures that any challenges that come up are quickly reported to the right authorities.

“Every report represents a situation affecting people,” Mohammed said. He stressed that every call or entry on the dashboard could involve electoral personnel, materials, processes, or voters who need guidance and help.

He urged the supervisors to give clear directions and use good judgement when leading their teams. He also reminded participants to pass on the knowledge they gain from the training to their staff at the state level.

“The success of this training will ultimately be measured by how confidently and effectively the personnel trained by you perform their responsibilities during the elections,” he said.

Mohammed encouraged everyone to take part in the sessions by asking questions and sharing their experiences. He noted that clearing up any doubts during training would help avoid problems when the elections take place.

Participants are expected to finish the program with a better understanding of EOSC responsibilities, how to report incidents, verify information, and follow up on issues.

He highlighted the need for accuracy and speed in operational reporting. An effective report should clearly state what happened, where and when it occurred, what actions have been taken, and the current status of the incident.

Mohammed also urged supervisors to remember the human side of their work. He advised them to treat field officers with calmness, respect, and support, especially when they are under pressure.

“The quality of communication and how information is received could affect both the quality of information available to the Commission and the support given to personnel in the field,” he said.

He called on the trainers to make the sessions practical and engaging, focusing on real-life situations that participants might face during the 2027 General Election.

Mohammed praised the trainers, organizers, sponsors, and partners for their support of the program. He urged participants to show that they can make good use of the confidence and resources invested in the training.

This initiative is part of INEC’s efforts to strengthen its operational response and better manage any challenges that arise during the 2027 elections.