The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has introduced a Strategic Electoral Intelligence Framework aimed at helping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rebuild public trust and reverse declining voter turnout ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The framework, described as a homegrown solution, is designed to complement technology-driven reforms by addressing perception gaps, credibility concerns, and weak stakeholder engagement that have persisted since the 2023 elections.
Speaking on Wednesday at INEC headquarters in Abuja during the Commission’s first-quarter consultative meeting with media executives, Professor Emmanuel Samu Dandaura, NIPR Acting President, said restoring confidence in elections requires more than digital tools.
“This framework goes beyond technology, providing INEC with targeted insights and strategic tools to restore confidence, manage perceptions, and strengthen engagement across all stakeholders,” Dandaura said.
He stressed that while technology improves efficiency, elections ultimately succeed on public trust and effective communication.
“Unmet expectations from past elections have created a perception challenge that cannot be solved by technology alone. We need a deliberate communication strategy that restores trust and positively shapes public perception,” he added.
Professor Dandaura acknowledged INEC’s technological strides during the 2023 elections but noted that system glitches heightened scrutiny and weakened public confidence.
“As an Institute, we are pleased that INEC is taking steps to bridge the trust gap that widened after 2023. Improvements to the IReV system address some operational gaps, but they cannot alone restore confidence,” he said.
According to him, a carefully structured communication strategy is critical to re-engaging Nigerians and international observers whose trust in the electoral process has been eroded.
Dandaura cautioned against using propaganda to manage public image and outlined key elements of the Strategic Electoral Intelligence Framework, including:
- Mapping low-confidence “Reputation Desert Zones”
- Region-specific perception insights
- A National Electoral Perception Index
- Real-time dashboards to guide messaging and counter misinformation
He added that a three-wave longitudinal survey would track public perception over time, enabling proactive, data-driven communication interventions ahead of 2027.
Responding, Professor Joash Amupitan, INEC Chairman, welcomed the initiative and expressed the Commission’s willingness to collaborate with NIPR.
“I am confident this framework will strengthen INEC’s reputation through a homegrown dashboard that enhances our capacity to assess regional risk profiles, deploy data-driven messaging, and establish early-warning systems against misinformation,” Amupitan said.
He noted that strategic communication remains essential to deepening public trust and safeguarding the credibility of future elections.
Last month, NIPR, in partnership with Reputation Perception Services (RPS), released the Nigeria Reputation Perception Index (NRPI) Report 2025, which revealed a low national reputation score of 35.2 and highlighted how electoral cycles significantly influence Nigeria’s global image.
The consultative forum was attended by media executives from over 160 organisations, all National INEC Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners, senior INEC officials, and the Secretary of the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony, fnipr.
At the event, Professor Dandaura formally presented Professor Amupitan with copies of the NRPI Report 2025 and the Strategic Electoral Intelligence Framework.
