The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the recently concluded Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and voter data update exercise by one month to allow more eligible Nigerians to participate in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the association said many eligible voters were unable to register or update their records due to limited access to registration centres, network failures, transportation challenges and inadequate public awareness.
HURIWA argued that extending the exercise would prevent the disenfranchisement of millions of Nigerians, particularly first-time voters who recently turned 18, students, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons and citizens seeking to transfer or update their voter information.
The group also criticised INEC for what it described as an inadequate nationwide voter education campaign, warning that the commission had not done enough to address vote buying, voter apathy, political intimidation and electoral violence ahead of the polls.
According to the association, voter education should go beyond explaining voting procedures to include sustained public campaigns against electoral corruption, vote selling and election-related violence.
HURIWA further expressed concern over what it called weak enforcement of electoral laws, noting that the failure to prosecute offenders has encouraged persistent violations of the Electoral Act.
The organisation called for stronger collaboration between INEC and security as well as anti-corruption agencies—including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)—to prevent and prosecute electoral offences.
The group also warned that inflammatory political rhetoric, youth mobilisation for violence and the proliferation of small arms could threaten peaceful elections if proactive measures are not taken.
HURIWA urged INEC to broaden its civic education programmes to promote peaceful participation, tolerance of opposing political views, respect for election outcomes and greater public confidence in democratic institutions.
It further recommended an intensive nationwide voter mobilisation campaign involving civil society organisations, traditional rulers, faith-based groups, professional bodies, youth and women organisations, community-based organisations and the media to combat growing voter apathy.
According to HURIWA, the credibility of the 2027 general elections will depend not only on transparent voting and credible result collation but also on wider voter participation and strict enforcement of electoral laws.
The association maintained that extending the voter registration exercise by one month would strengthen the legitimacy of the elections and urged INEC to demonstrate its commitment to inclusive democracy by responding positively to public concerns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
