Nigeria, Canada collaborate to ensure poll integrity ahead of 2027 general election

The Nigerian and Canadian governments have vowed collaboration to ensure free, fair and credible general election, even as the Canadian High Commissioner
Pasquale Salvaggio pledged his country’s continued support, before, during and after the elections.

Also, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan said, everything would done within the ambit of the powers of INEC to tackle voter apathy, expand participation and strengthen confidence in the electoral process.

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Amupitan stated this when the Canadian High Commissioner led a delegation to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on Friday, August 21.

Salvaggio noted that Ottawa remained committed to supporting Nigeria’s democratic development and electoral institutions and hoped to see a free and fair elections in 2027.

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Both countty’s meeting was at the backdrop of concerns of voter apathy and means to reverse it before the forthcoming general election in 2027. Amupitan said, he intend to tackle declining voter participation before the election.

Facing the stark reality, INEC revealed its in-house statistics to show decline in presidential election figures as voter turnout has fallen from 53.7 percent in 2011 to 43.6 percent in 2015, 34.7 percent in 2019 and just 26.7 percent in 2023.

That means fewer than 3 in every 10 registered voters participated in the 2023 presidential election, placing voter mobilisation and public trust at the centre of the commission’s 2027 strategy.

Salvaggio said Canada was interested in how INEC intends to address the challenges confronting the electoral process and deliver elections capable of commanding public confidence.

“It is a pleasure to be here and to contribute to ensuring that the electoral process moves forward successfully. This includes supporting the conduct of free and fair elections, which is of great importance to us,” he said.

The Canadian Envoy said Ottawa had previously supported international election observation and remained prepared to contribute constructively to Nigeria’s democratic process. ExploringAfrican Diaspora Media

“Most recently, we brought in international observers to monitor the conduct of elections,” Salvaggio said. But Canada’s interest, he stressed, goes beyond watching the ballot.

The High Commissioner said Ottawa was particularly interested in programmes capable of increasing women’s participation in Nigeria’s electoral process, while also offering relevant information, technical assistance and other support that could strengthen participation and election observation.

“Our objective is to contribute constructively to the conduct of elections that are free, fair and legitimate,” he said.

The INEC Chairman identified voter participation, electoral security, public confidence, inclusion of women, youths and persons with disabilities, technology, data management and institutional capacity as major areas of focus.

He said the commission would continue to strengthen logistics, technology deployment, early-warning mechanisms, stakeholder engagement and crisis-management systems.

The emphasis on voter participation reflects an increasingly urgent concern within INEC.

In February, Prof Amupitan warned that Nigeria’s dwindling voter turnout had become a serious democratic challenge, noting that technology alone could not solve voter apathy. ExploringAfrican Diaspora Media

The Commission has also identified the rebuilding of public trust as critical to getting Nigerians back to the polling units.

In March, Prof Amupitan appealed to the National Peace Committee and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to rebuild confidence in the electoral system, describing the trust deficit as palpable.

2027 preparations gather pace
The engagement with Canada comes as INEC advances preparations for the 2027 general elections and continues to tighten the regulatory framework for political parties.

The Commission has already finalised its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, while urging the National Assembly to provide a stable legal environment well ahead of the polls.

INEC has also moved to align its political-party regulations with the Electoral Act 2026, describing the review as part of efforts to strengthen electoral integrity, improve compliance and reduce pre-election disputes.

The Commission said its engagement with Canada would therefore be anchored on international observation, technical cooperation, democratic participation and gender inclusion.

For Ottawa, the objective is clear: support an electoral process that Nigerians and the international community can regard as legitimate.

For INEC, the numbers tell an equally urgent story rebuilding trust and getting millions more Nigerians to the ballot box may prove as consequential as the technology deployed to count their votes.

Both sides consequently agreed to sustain cooperation as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections, with the shared objective of delivering a peaceful, inclusive, free, fair and credible electoral process.

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