121,821 new voters registered in state, 65,928 are women
JOS — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to create dedicated voting centres for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in nine local government areas of Plateau State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Plateau, Prof. Samuel Egwu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with political party leaders and other stakeholders at the commission’s headquarters in Jos.
Egwu explained that the proposed arrangement was consistent with Nigeria’s obligations under the Kampala Declaration on Internally Displaced Persons, which recognises the right of displaced citizens to participate in elections.
He said INEC was making preparations in case security challenges prevent some displaced residents from returning to their communities before the elections.
According to him, nine of Plateau’s 17 local government areas may require special voting arrangements for IDPs.
“We don’t even know what will happen next week, but by the facts that we know now, we may have to prepare for IDP voting in nine local governments out of 17.
“These are Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South, Mangu, Kanam, Kanke, Wase and Bokkos,” he said.
The REC said that where insecurity makes it impossible for displaced voters to return home, INEC would establish voting facilities at their locations of displacement.
He clarified, however, that votes cast by IDPs would still be counted under the wards and constituencies where the voters originally registered.
“Nigeria is a signatory to the Kampala Declaration on internally displaced persons, and that means we signed as a country to do everything possible for everybody, including people displaced from their original homes, to vote during election,” Egwu said.
He added that the votes would be incorporated into the results of the appropriate wards to enable displaced citizens to participate in choosing their local representatives in 2027.
INEC seeks political parties’ cooperation
Egwu called on political parties to work closely with the commission to identify displaced persons and provide timely information that would assist with their documentation ahead of the elections.
“We need to partner with you to identify and to promptly report where your supporters are likely to be displaced, so that we can document them for the purpose of IDP voting,” he said.
Although he acknowledged that implementing the arrangement could be expensive, the REC said it was necessary to ensure that displaced citizens were not disenfranchised.
He also expressed hope that peace would return to the affected communities before the elections, allowing residents to return to their ancestral homes.
“Our prayer is that maybe normalcy will return and people can return to their original abode. But should that not happen, they will have the chance to be able to vote,” he said.
Egwu described the stakeholders’ meeting as part of INEC’s continuing consultations with political parties, civil society organisations and other relevant groups ahead of the 2027 polls.
He noted that the meeting was being held 129 days before the elections and assured stakeholders that additional engagements would take place before election day.
“This is a very timely meeting, and there will be many more between now and the election,” he said.
The REC stressed that regular engagement with political parties was crucial to the success of the electoral process, noting that political parties remained central to democratic elections.
He also described civil society organisations as important partners in strengthening democracy because they represent citizens and advocate for improvements in the democratic process.
121,821 new voters registered
On the electoral timetable, Egwu disclosed that INEC would publish the final list of candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections on September 12, 2026.
He added that the final list of candidates for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections would be released on October 10, 2026.
The REC further revealed that 121,821 new voters were registered in Plateau State during the latest Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
Women accounted for 65,928 of the newly registered voters.
The commission also recorded 38,399 voter-transfer requests, while approximately 95,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from previous registration exercises were still awaiting collection across the state.
Egwu urged politicians and other stakeholders to conduct their campaigns responsibly, warning against actions that could undermine the credibility, peace and integrity of the 2027 electoral process.
