2027 Elections: INEC Acknowledges Security Challenges in Zamfara Communities

By Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has acknowledged security challenges in some communities across Zamfara State, saying it will work with security agencies and other stakeholders to address potential risks ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Zamfara State, Dr Mahmuda Isah, disclosed this on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the commission’s headquarters in Gusau.

Isah said INEC was conscious of its constitutional responsibilities and obligations under the Electoral Act 2026 as preparations for the 2027 general elections gathered momentum.

He explained that the commission would continue to collaborate with relevant security agencies and stakeholders to identify electoral risks, assess their implications and develop appropriate measures to mitigate them in line with the law.

According to him, the safety of voters, electoral personnel, election materials and facilities remains a major consideration in the commission’s planning and operational strategies.

Isah listed key areas of INEC’s preparations to include voter registration and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection, assessment of polling units and electoral facilities, deployment of personnel and materials, use of technology, staff training, voter education, security risk assessment and stakeholder engagement.

He also stressed that INEC’s constitutional independence and impartiality would remain paramount throughout the electoral process.

“Our engagement with stakeholders is intended to strengthen electoral administration and public confidence without compromising our neutrality,” he said.

Providing voter registration statistics, the REC disclosed that Zamfara State recorded 1,952,060 registered voters during the 2023 general elections.

He added that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise recorded 313,115 registrations as of August 2026, representing approximately 16.04 per cent of the state’s 2023 registered-voter figure.

Isah said the figures highlighted the need for sustained voter mobilisation, effective public enlightenment and continuous efforts to maintain an accurate, credible and inclusive register of voters.

He noted that registration records would undergo the necessary verification and validation processes in accordance with the law and approved procedures.

The REC further disclosed that Zamfara State has 14 local government areas, 147 registration areas, 3,529 polling units, three senatorial districts, seven federal constituencies and 24 state constituencies.

Based on the 2023 voter register, he said the state had an average of approximately 553 registered voters per polling unit, underscoring the logistical, administrative and security demands of conducting elections across the state.

He emphasised that the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections would depend on meticulous planning, effective deployment of resources, strong security coordination, continuous voter education and the cooperation of all stakeholders.

INEC’s engagement with stakeholders is expected to support preparations for the elections, particularly in communities where security concerns could affect voter access, the deployment of election personnel and the movement of electoral materials.