The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has started a Training of Trainers for state coordinating supervisors of the Electoral Operations Support Centre (EOSC). The training aims to equip supervisors with the knowledge and practical skills required to effectively coordinate EOSC activities and train personnel who will support electoral operations during the 2027 General Election. The training was organised by the Electoral Operations Department.
Delivering the welcome remarks on behalf of the Director of Electoral Operations, Isa Magaji, the Deputy Director, Operations, Jibril B. Mohammed, described the training as an important step towards building teams capable of providing timely and dependable operational support across the country. He emphasized that the EOSC plays a crucial role in helping the Commission understand developments from the field and ensuring that emerging operational challenges are promptly addressed.
According to Mohammed, every report received through the EOSC represents a real situation affecting electoral personnel, materials, processes, or voters. He stressed that delayed appointments, transportation difficulties, or other operational challenges could have implications for the smooth conduct of elections. Mohammed urged the state coordinating supervisors to provide clear direction and sound judgement to the teams they would supervise.
The training is expected to enhance the skills of state coordinating supervisors in reporting, information verification, and incident escalation. Participants are expected to leave the training with a stronger understanding of EOSC responsibilities, reporting procedures, and follow-up processes. The Deputy Director emphasized the importance of accuracy and timeliness in operational reporting.
Mohammed also urged participants to preserve the human side of their responsibilities by responding to field officers with calmness, respect, and helpfulness, particularly when such officers are operating under pressure. He noted that the quality of communication and the manner in which information is received could affect both the quality of information available to the Commission and the support provided to personnel in the field.
The success of the training would ultimately be measured by how confidently and effectively the personnel trained by the participants perform their responsibilities during the elections. Participants were urged to actively engage in the sessions, ask questions, share experiences, and seek clarification on areas of uncertainty. Resolving operational ambiguities during training would help prevent them from becoming challenges during the elections.
The training is a significant step towards ensuring the smooth conduct of the 2027 General Election. INEC has taken a proactive approach to addressing potential operational challenges by investing in the training of state coordinating supervisors. The Commission's efforts aim to enhance the capacity of its personnel to respond to emerging challenges and provide effective support to electoral operations.
Key points
- INEC trains state coordinating supervisors of EOSC ahead of 2027 General Election
- Training aims to equip supervisors with knowledge and practical skills to coordinate EOSC activities
- Supervisors to train personnel who will support electoral operations during the 2027 elections
