As 2027 Elections Approach, Stakeholders Seek Stronger Framework to Protect IDPs’ Right to Vote
ABUJA — A two-day stakeholder engagement meeting focused on protecting the electoral rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has commenced in Abuja, with a strong call for displacement to never become a pathway to electoral disenfranchisement.
The meeting, organised by TAF Africa in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II), Component 5b, brings together key actors to examine the implementation of the INEC IDP Framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The engagement is drawing participants from INEC, State Emergency Management Agencies, IDP camp leaders and managers, humanitarian organisations and civil society groups.
Speaking on the significance of the engagement, Amb. Jake Epelle, Founder and CEO of TAF Africa, emphasised that Nigerians displaced by conflict, insecurity, flooding and other humanitarian emergencies must not lose their fundamental right to participate in the democratic process.
From Displacement to Electoral Inclusion
The discussions are centred on practical measures to ensure that displaced Nigerians remain visible and active within Nigeria’s electoral system.
Key issues under consideration include Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), polling-unit transfers, Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection, voter education, community mobilisation, reliable electoral data on IDPs, election-day participation, institutional coordination and accountability.
The stakeholders are also examining how existing systems can be strengthened to remove the barriers that often prevent displaced citizens from registering, collecting their PVCs or accessing polling units.
With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, participants stressed the need for electoral inclusion to be deliberately integrated into election planning rather than treated as an emergency response after displacement has occurred.
“Every Citizen Counts”
The central message from the engagement is clear: displacement does not erase citizenship.
A Nigerian may be forced to leave home because of armed conflict, insecurity, flooding or another humanitarian crisis, but such displacement does not take away the person’s constitutional right to participate in choosing those who govern.
For TAF Africa and its partners, the objective of the two-day engagement goes beyond discussion.
The goal is to move “from conversation to coordination, from coordination to commitment, and from commitment to implementation.”
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, stakeholders believe that ensuring IDPs can participate meaningfully in the electoral process will be an important test of the country’s commitment to inclusive democracy.
No Nigerian should become electorally invisible because of displacement.
Every citizen counts. Every eligible voter deserves a voice.
