The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched a staff training programme on electoral laws, offences and penalties to strengthen legal compliance and professional conduct ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The maiden Electoral Learning Session (ELS), organised by The Electoral Institute (TEI), held on October 15 and 16, 2026, in collaboration with INEC’s Legal Drafting and Clearance Department and Litigation and Prosecution Department.
Speaking at the inaugural session in Abuja, the Chairman of the Board of TEI, Professor Kunle Ajayi, described the initiative as a significant milestone, stressing that election officials must understand the legal provisions guiding their duties to ensure credible elections.
Ajayi said the programme would equip staff with practical knowledge of electoral laws and the penalties for violations, while promoting professionalism and accountability.
He thanked INEC Chairman, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, and other commission members for approving the initiative as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.
The Acting Director-General of TEI, Professor Ibrahim Sani, said understanding electoral laws went beyond knowing that the laws existed, noting that officials needed to grasp their provisions and implications for their respective assignments.
He expressed confidence that the programme would improve staff competence, encourage compliance and strengthen the Commission’s readiness for the polls.
The Director of Training, Dr. Binta Kasim Mohammed, said the ELS would become a regular capacity-building programme, holding monthly for staff at the Commission’s headquarters and quarterly for personnel at state and local government area levels.
She added that relevant departments would collaborate in delivering each session, depending on the subject, to deepen staff knowledge and improve electoral service delivery.
The initiative is designed to institutionalise continuous professional development across INEC as the Commission prepares for the 2027 general elections.
