Tap Initiative for Citizens’ Development has appointed popular Nigerian actress and activist Kate Henshaw as an ambassador for iReportINEC, its citizen-led platform for election monitoring, incident reporting and electoral transparency.
The appointment aims to strengthen public awareness and encourage more Nigerians, particularly young people, to actively participate in documenting the electoral process.
iReportINEC to Strengthen Citizen Monitoring
According to the statement signed by M.M. Obono, Esq., Executive Director of Tap Initiative for Citizens’ Development, iReportINEC enables trained citizen observers, political party agents and civil society organisations to report polling-unit results and electoral incidents in real time.
The platform also has an offline reporting feature, allowing users in areas with limited internet connectivity to capture reports and synchronise them once a connection becomes available.
Speaking on Henshaw’s appointment, Obono said citizens must remain involved beyond casting their votes.
“Democracy does not end with casting a vote. Citizens must also be able to see, document and demand accountability for what happens throughout the electoral process. Kate Henshaw brings public trust, civic consciousness and a strong commitment to citizen participation. Her voice will help us take iReportINEC to millions of Nigerians.”
Kate Henshaw Urges Nigerians to Take Ownership
Accepting the appointment, Kate Henshaw said she was honoured to support an initiative that gives citizens a direct role in monitoring elections.
“Democracy belongs to all of us, and our responsibility does not end when we cast our votes. Citizens must pay attention, document what they witness and demand accountability.”
She described iReportINEC as an opportunity for Nigerians to become active witnesses to the electoral process, particularly encouraging young people to take ownership of democracy and use technology responsibly.
Henshaw has over the years used her public platform to promote civic participation, voter engagement and accountability. During the 2023 elections, she publicly raised concerns about voter accreditation at her polling unit, drawing attention to the importance of citizens documenting their experiences during elections.
Platform Deployed Ahead of 2027 Elections
Obono said the initiative is already being deployed for the Osun Governorship Election, with more than 20 per cent of polling units covered so far.
He said the message behind the initiative remains simple: “Witness the vote, document what happens. Report responsibly, strengthen electoral accountability.”
As ambassador, Henshaw will support public awareness around iReportINEC and encourage Nigerians to use the platform to responsibly document electoral incidents and contribute to credible election monitoring.
Tap Initiative said the platform is also being positioned for the 2027 general elections, with a nationwide deployment strategy covering Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The organisation believes Henshaw’s visibility and longstanding engagement with civic issues will help expand awareness of citizen-led election monitoring and encourage more Nigerians to play an active role in protecting electoral integrity.
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