The overall framework for the elections was more painstakingly and comprehensively laid than was ever the case in the past. A new Electoral Act that strengthened INEC in various ways, and thereby enhanced the standards in the electoral process, came into being some months before the elections.
The Commission took far-reaching steps to establish new and reinforced platforms for the elections. A new regime of electronic voter registration was instituted, and a new robust communication platform was created. Strategy meetings and consultations were held with security agencies with the purpose of ensuring effective security control in the election period.

INEC’s intiatives in the key areas of voter awareness-raising and education included the creation of an entire department for this purpose. The Commission also embarked on unprecedented extensive and intensive voter education programs across the country. The Electoral Institute was established—a pioneer in its field in Africa—to train professional election administrators and ad hoc staff, and to undertake research, documentation and training.

The Commission also took steps to enhance the logistics backbone for the elections. Six new regional storehouses for electoral materials were created, while existing storehouses in all the state capitals were improved. The aim was to ensure that election materials were accessible across the country to avoid a repeat of past experiences in which they were being delivered from a centralized store on election days.