INEC: Preliminary Voters Register Website Delay Confirmed

• INEC confirmed the preliminary voters' register is available at ward levels but has not been uploaded to its official website.
• Mohammed Haruna, an INEC National Commissioner, clarified the register's partial availability to the public.
• Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, criticized the online delay, warning it could undermine confidence in the 2027 general election.
• Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 mandates both online and physical display of the register for seven days.
• The online display period for the register was scheduled for October 9 to 15, 2026, but the portal reportedly remained empty.

The accessibility of the register is a pivotal factor in fostering electoral transparency, encouraging voter participation, and maintaining public trust as the 2027 general election draws nearer.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the preliminary voters' register is currently accessible at the ward level across the country. However, the commission has not yet uploaded this crucial document to its official website, leading to public concern. Mohammed Haruna, an INEC National Commissioner and the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, clarified the situation in a recent discussion with The PUNCH on Sunday.

Haruna explicitly stated that while the voter register has been made available within the wards, its online publication remains pending. This partial availability has sparked questions regarding the register's overall accessibility, particularly as many Nigerians expected to find it online for public review during the designated period. The absence of the register from the commission's digital platform has drawn criticism and raised doubts about the transparency of the pre-election process.

The controversy surrounding the preliminary voters' register brings into focus the specific legal obligations outlined in the Electoral Act 2026. Section 19(1) of this Act mandates INEC to ensure that copies of the voters' register are made available for public scrutiny for a period of seven days. This statutory requirement specifies that the register must be displayed both at every registration area and on the commission's official website or any other designated online platform.

According to the provision, this display period must be appointed by the commission no later than 90 days before a general election. The purpose is to allow registered voters to confirm their personal details and for the general public to identify any omissions or challenge questionable entries before the register is finalized. The scheduled online display period for the current register was from October 9 to 15, 2026, a timeframe during which the online portal reportedly remained empty.

The delay in publishing the preliminary voters' register online has ignited significant concerns about the integrity and transparency of the upcoming 2027 general election. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is currently the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, voiced strong criticism on Thursday, urging INEC to promptly make the register available digitally. He cautioned that the continued unavailability of the register could severely erode public confidence in the electoral system.

Abubakar highlighted the necessity for citizens to access the register online to verify their information, detect any missing entries, or dispute suspicious data. He pointed out that despite INEC's announcement of over 103 million registered voters, the online portal offered no names for inspection, which he described as an "outrage." The accessibility of the register is a pivotal factor in fostering electoral transparency, encouraging voter participation, and maintaining public trust as the 2027 general election draws nearer. The current situation presents a potential point of contention for stakeholders monitoring the electoral process.

Lawyers advising political parties, candidates, or electoral observer groups should note INEC's partial compliance with Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 concerning the display of the preliminary voters' register. While available at ward levels, the delay in online publication could be a point of contention for challenging electoral transparency or advocating for full statutory adherence ahead of the 2027 general election. Advise clients on accessing the register physically and monitoring for online availability.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH