By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

Members of the European Union-funded Support to Democratic Governance Programme, EU-SDGN, have convened a Broadcast Audience Voter Opinion Lab in Ado-Ekiti as part of efforts to tackle misinformation, deepen voter education and strengthen public confidence ahead of the state’s governorship election.

The engagement, organised by the Centre for Media and Society, CEMESO, brought together media practitioners, market women, traders, students and persons with disabilities to examine how voters access information, identify false narratives and develop practical solutions for credible elections.

Speaking at the event, Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr Akin Akingbulu, stressed that credible elections can only thrive when citizens are properly informed.

“A well-informed electorate is the foundation of credible elections. This Lab is designed to interrogate how voters access information, identify gaps, and strengthen the role of the media as a trusted conduit for electoral knowledge,” he said.

He added that the recommendations from the engagement would shape future efforts to improve voter education and public communication.

To ensure broad participation, discussions were held in both English and Yoruba, allowing participants from different backgrounds to contribute meaningfully.

A major focus of the Lab was how to strengthen the media’s ability to provide accurate, timely and reliable electoral information. Participants discussed voter information channels, the spread of misinformation and the barriers preventing many citizens from fully participating in elections.

During discussions on voter information mapping, participants stressed the need to strengthen credible media platforms and design communication strategies that reflect local realities and community needs.

On misinformation and voter confusion, participants called for more proactive public communication, insisting that verified and simplified information is essential to counter fake news and build voter confidence.

The Lab also highlighted that barriers to voter participation go beyond logistics, extending to issues of trust, access to information and public perception.

Participants urged stakeholders to improve civic and voter education by making information more accessible, inclusive and responsive to the needs of vulnerable and underrepresented groups.

A representative of the National Association of Joint Persons with Disabilities, Mr Oyeni Sunday, praised the initiative, saying it improved participants’ understanding of the electoral process and their readiness for future elections.

“There are many things we ought to have known, especially regarding voter education before, during and after elections. I commend the EU-SDGN for prioritising inclusion and creating this opportunity,” he said.

Another participant, Ibitoye Helen, described the programme as timely and important, noting that it gave underrepresented groups a voice in the electoral conversation.

The event ended with the documentation of key recommendations that will guide future EU-SDGN interventions aimed at promoting voter awareness, countering misinformation and supporting credible elections in Ekiti and beyond.