The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned its state, local government, and ward executives against appointing non-party members as agents for the 2027 general elections. The warning was given by the party's National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, during a training session for state executives in Abuja. The training aimed to equip state secretaries and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) officers with the skills to upload agents' details to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.
The training, which took place at the party's secretariat in Abuja, focused on uploading details of agents to be deployed to polling units ahead of the elections. Mr. Mohammed emphasized the importance of election agents and canvassers, urging participants to share their knowledge with other party members in their respective states. He noted that the election process has evolved, with electronic systems replacing some manual procedures, and stressed the need for state executives to be focused and adapt to these changes.
Mr. Bature highlighted the necessity of the training, citing the importance of uploading agents' details to avoid technical glitches on the INEC portal. He urged participants to select genuine and committed party members as agents, warning against the practice of appointing double agents. Mr. Bature emphasized the need for state secretariats to vet candidates before appointing them as agents, encouraging them to patronize dedicated party members.
At the end of the training, state secretaries resolved to submit their party agents' details to the party by December 2. INEC has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027. The commission has opened its online portal for political parties to submit the details of their polling agents ahead of the elections, with a deadline of December 10, 2026.
Polling agents play a crucial role in safeguarding the interests of political parties and their candidates during elections. They are deployed to polling units to observe the voting process, monitor the conduct of electoral officials, and ensure that votes are properly counted and recorded. Agents may also raise complaints with presiding officers over irregularities and obtain copies of relevant election results and documents.
INEC has introduced an electronic system for nominating and accrediting polling agents, replacing the manual submission of hard-copy lists used in previous elections. Under the new arrangement, political parties are required to submit their agents' details through the commission's online portal. The portal requires each nominated agent's full name, telephone number, gender, and assigned polling unit, along with a passport photograph and an acceptable ID.
The PDP's warning against non-party members as polling agents underscores the party's commitment to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. The party's national leadership has emphasized the need for state executives to be vigilant and ensure that only genuine party members are appointed as agents. This move is expected to enhance the credibility of the elections and prevent potential irregularities.
Key points
- The PDP has cautioned its state executives against engaging non-party members as polling agents for the 2027 general elections.
- The party's national leadership has emphasized the need for state executives to select genuine and committed party members as agents.
- INEC has introduced an electronic system for nominating and accrediting polling agents, with a deadline of December 10, 2026, for submission of agents' details.
