Members of the European Union-funded Support to Democratic Governance Programme (EU-SDGN) convened a Broadcast Audience Voter Opinion Lab in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen electoral integrity, improve voter information ecosystems, and reinforce public trust ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
The engagement, organised by the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) under the programme, brought together a diverse group of participants, including media professionals, market women, traders, students, and persons with disabilities. The initiative reflects a sustained commitment to inclusive democratic participation. The Lab provided a structured platform for citizens and stakeholders to examine how voters access information, identify misinformation trends, and co-develop practical, citizen-centred solutions to support credible electoral processes.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr Akin Akingbulu, underscored the central role of information in shaping democratic outcomes, noting that credible elections depend on a well-informed electorate.
“A well-informed electorate is the foundation of credible elections. This Lab is designed to interrogate how voters access information, identify gaps, and strengthen the role of the media as a trusted conduit for electoral knowledge. The recommendations emerging from this engagement will inform ongoing efforts to improve voter education and public communication,” he said.
To ensure inclusivity and effective participation, discussions were conducted in both English and Yoruba, enabling broader understanding and more meaningful contributions.
A key feature of the Lab was its focus on strengthening the media’s capacity to deliver accurate, timely, and trustworthy electoral information. Through guided sessions, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on voter information mapping, misinformation trends, and barriers to participation.
Deliberations on voter information mapping highlighted the importance of understanding where citizens obtain information and why certain channels are trusted. Participants emphasised the need to strengthen credible media platforms and tailor communication strategies to local realities.
On misinformation and voter confusion, participants called for more proactive and responsive communication, stressing that timely, verified, and simplified information is essential to counter false narratives and build voter confidence.
Discussions on participation barriers revealed that challenges extend beyond logistics, pointing to issues of trust, access to information, and public perception. Addressing these factors, participants noted, is critical to improving voter turnout and strengthening democratic engagement.
The Lab also generated practical recommendations to enhance civic and voter education, with a focus on making information more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of diverse groups.
Participants commended the initiative for its relevance and impact. A representative of the National Association of Joint Persons with Disabilities, Mr Oyeni Sunday, noted that the session strengthened participants’ understanding of electoral processes and preparedness for upcoming elections.
“There are many things we ought to have known, especially regarding voter education before, during, and after elections. I commend the EU-SDGN for prioritising inclusion and creating this opportunity. The facilitators provided clear and practical insights, and we are now better informed,” he said.
Similarly, another representative of the association, Ibitoye Helen, described the engagement as timely, noting that it created space for underrepresented voices to be heard.
“This is exactly the kind of engagement needed at this critical moment. It reflects a genuine commitment to inclusion and has given us a platform to share our experiences and challenges,” she said.
The event concluded with a documentation session capturing key insights and recommendations, which will inform ongoing EU-SDGN interventions aimed at strengthening voter awareness, countering misinformation, and supporting credible, inclusive elections in Ekiti State and beyond.
