The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing growing criticism over its failure to publish the preliminary voters’ register online during the scheduled public inspection period, raising concerns about electoral transparency ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The controversy centres on the commission’s Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) portal, which continued to display the message: “There are currently no preliminary registers to display. Please check back later.”
INEC had announced that the public display exercise would run from October 9 to 15, 2026. However, reports by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) and ARISE News indicated that the preliminary register was unavailable online during the period.
FIJ first reported the problem on October 16 and subsequently confirmed that the register remained inaccessible online after the scheduled exercise had ended.
ARISE News also reported that its checks of the portal on October 13 found no preliminary register available. In Lagos State, the broadcaster said the register was available for physical inspection in Alimosho Local Government Area only upon request, between 9am and 3pm, with residents permitted to check their own details.
The development has raised questions about INEC’s compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and whether voters have been given sufficient opportunities to verify their information before the 2027 polls.
Electoral Act Requires Public Access to Voter Register
Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires INEC to make the voters’ register available for public scrutiny over a seven-day period ahead of a general election. The requirement covers physical display at registration areas and publication on the commission’s official website or another designated website.
The law also provides for penalties against officials who fail to display or publish the register as required. Under Section 19(5), an official found guilty may face a fine of ₦100,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
The public inspection process allows registered voters to check their details and identify possible errors, including missing names, incorrect information and the inclusion of individuals who may not be qualified to vote.
Section 19 also provides for claims and objections to be considered following the display of the register. Limited access to the preliminary list could therefore make it more difficult for citizens to identify and report irregularities within the prescribed period.
INEC Reports More Than 103 Million Registered Voters
The controversy comes after INEC announced that Nigeria’s national voters’ register had exceeded 103 million names.
INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan disclosed the figure in Abuja on October 5 during a strategic workshop for editors. The commission attributed the increase to its three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and biometric data-cleaning efforts.
Although the overall figure provides an indication of the size of the electorate, the detailed register is needed to allow voters, political parties and civil society organisations to scrutinise individual records.
Access to the full register can help stakeholders identify possible duplicate entries, omissions and other inaccuracies that could affect the credibility of the electoral process.
INEC Disputes Claims About Physical Display
INEC’s Lagos State office challenged reports that the voters’ register had not been displayed during the inspection period.
In a statement issued on October 15, the state’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Esther Emeh, said the register had been displayed across all 245 registration areas in Lagos State.
However, the commission had not provided a detailed public explanation for the continued absence of the preliminary register from its online portal at the time of the report.
The difference between the commission’s account of the physical display and reports of the online portal’s unavailability has intensified calls for clarification.
Critics have also raised allegations that restricted access could create opportunities for electoral manipulation. However, such claims have not been independently established. The immediate concern remains whether INEC met its legal obligations and provided an effective opportunity for public scrutiny.
Transparency Concerns Grow Ahead of 2027 Elections
The voters’ register is a key part of Nigeria’s electoral system because it establishes who is eligible to vote. Errors or unresolved questions about the register can undermine public confidence before voting begins.
Political parties and election-monitoring organisations rely on access to electoral information to assess the process and raise objections where necessary. For voters who cannot easily visit registration centres, online publication is particularly important.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, INEC faces pressure to explain why the preliminary register was unavailable online during the announced period and how it intends to address the concerns raised.
The commission also needs to clarify whether the problem resulted from a technical failure, an administrative lapse or another cause, and what steps will be taken to ensure compliance with the law.
Providing voters with a meaningful opportunity to inspect their records and submit corrections will be essential to strengthening confidence in the electoral process.
Until the outstanding questions are addressed, concerns over transparency and INEC’s preparedness for the 2027 elections are likely to persist.
