RismadarVoice Reporters
September 9, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced preparations to establish voting centres for internally displaced persons in nine local government areas of Plateau State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Prof. Samuel Egwu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with leaders of political parties and other stakeholders at the commission’s headquarters in Jos.
Egwu said the proposed arrangement was part of Nigeria’s commitment under the Kampala Declaration on Internally Displaced Persons, which recognises the right of displaced citizens to participate in elections.
According to him, the affected local government areas are Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South, Mangu, Kanam, Kanke, Wase and Bokkos.
“We don’t even know what will happen next week, but based on the facts that we know now, we may have to prepare for IDP voting in nine local governments out of 17,” he said.
The REC explained that where security concerns make it impossible for displaced residents to return to their communities before the election, the commission would make arrangements for them to vote at their locations of displacement.
He stressed, however, that votes cast by IDPs would still be attributed to their original wards and constituencies.
“Nigeria is a signatory to the Kampala Declaration on internally displaced persons, and that means we signed as a country to do everything possible for everybody, including people displaced from their original homes, to vote during the election,” Egwu said.
He added that the votes would be counted as part of the wards to which the displaced voters originally belonged, allowing them to participate in the election of their local representatives.
Egwu urged political parties to work with INEC to identify members and supporters who may be displaced, noting that proper documentation would be necessary for the proposed voting arrangement.
“We need to partner with you to identify and to promptly report where your supporters are likely to be displaced, so that we can document the purpose of IDP voting,” he said.
He acknowledged that the exercise would require additional resources but maintained that ensuring displaced citizens could exercise their franchise was essential to the democratic process.
The REC expressed hope that security conditions would improve sufficiently to enable displaced residents to return home before the elections.
“Our prayer is that maybe normalcy will return and people can return to their original abode. But should that not happen, they will have the chance to be able to vote,” he said.
Egwu described the stakeholders’ meeting as part of the commission’s continuing engagement with political parties, civil society organisations and other actors ahead of the 2027 polls.
He said further meetings would be held before the elections to provide stakeholders with updated electoral information and address emerging issues.
“There is no way we can electionct Election in 2027 without talking first and foremost to political parties, because democracy is party politics,” he said.
He also described civil society organisations as important partners in the electoral process because they represent citizens and play an advocacy role in strengthening democracy.
On the electoral timetable, Egwu said INEC would publish the final list of candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections on September 12, 2026.
He added that the final list for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections would be released on October 10, 2026.
The REC further disclosed that 121,821 new voters were registered in Plateau State during the latest Continuous Voter Registration exercise, including 65,928 females.
He said the commission also received 38,399 requests for voter transfers and currently has about 95,000 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards from previous registration cycles.
Egwu urged political parties and their candidates to conduct their campaigns responsibly and avoid actions capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.
