The European Union has strengthened the communication and information management capacity of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State as part of ongoing efforts to support credible, peaceful and transparent elections ahead of the forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election.
The intervention was carried out under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) programme and equipped INEC officials with practical skills in digital literacy, factchecking, crisis communication and proactive public information management to strengthen the Commission’s preparedness for the election.
Over three days, participants drawn from the Voter Education and Publicity Department, Electoral Officers, Heads of Departments, ICT personnel and other senior officials enhanced their ability to verify information, monitor digital platforms, identify emerging information threats and respond effectively to misinformation, disinformation and other communication challenges that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process. The sessions combined expert presentations, interactive discussions, practical exercises and scenario-based simulations to strengthen participants’ communication and crisis response capabilities.
Speaking at the conclusion of the workshops, Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Mr Lanre Arogundade, whose organisation is an implementing partner under the EU-SDGN programme, said strengthening the communication capacity of election officials is increasingly important in safeguarding the integrity of elections.
“The integrity of elections today depends not only on the conduct of the polls but also on the quality and credibility of information available to citizens. These workshops have equipped INEC officials with practical skills to identify false narratives, communicate proactively and respond effectively to information threats that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process. Strengthening institutional communication capacity is now an essential component of electoral preparedness.”
Commenting on the initiative, Mr Rudolf Elbling, Team Leader for the DAI-implemented component of the EU-SDGN II programme, said effective communication has become indispensable to strengthening public confidence in democratic processes.
“Public trust in elections depends not only on sound electoral administration but also on timely, accurate and transparent communication. Through the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme, the European Union continues to support institutions with the knowledge and tools required to respond effectively to emerging information challenges, promote transparency and contribute to credible, inclusive and peaceful electoral processes.”
The workshops covered information verification, digital literacy, fact-checking methodologies, social media monitoring, stakeholder engagement, media relations, crisis communication planning and institutional response mechanisms. Participants also developed practical approaches for responding rapidly and consistently to communication challenges throughout the electoral cycle.
The intervention forms part of the European Union’s broader support to strengthening electoral institutions and democratic governance in Nigeria by enhancing institutional resilience, promoting transparency and reinforcing public confidence in the electoral process.
