Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) says many Nigerians believe their votes will not count in the 2027 general elections, and that this could make voter apathy worse.
Umar Dan’Assabe Muhammed, KDI’s Senior Programme Manager for Democratic Accountability and Elections, raised the concern on Thursday while speaking on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu.
He said turnout has fallen steadily since 1999, mainly because people are disappointed with governance and with elected officials who fail to deliver.
Many voters now say “vote no go count” and stay away.
He also pointed to other barriers.
These include a difficult PVC collection process, weak voter education and fear of electoral violence.
Some people face distance and cost problems at collection centres, while others register only to get an identity document.
Muhammed said INEC’s online options, from registration up to biometric capture, are a welcome improvement.
But he said voters still need to appear in person to collect their PVCs and vote.
He called on INEC, the National Orientation Agency, political parties, civil society and the media to step up voter education.
He also criticised parties for focusing on attacks rather than the issues that affect citizens.
He named physical attacks, destruction of campaign materials and vote buying as practices that erode trust in elections and keep people away from the polls.
