INEC: 5,400 Voter Register Claims, Objections Received for 2027 Polls

• Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received 5,400 claims and objections to its Preliminary Register of Voters.
• This extensive cleanup aims to ensure the accuracy of the voter database for the 2027 general elections.
• INEC plans a nationwide mock accreditation exercise in November to test voter accreditation and results transmission systems.
• A new safeguard mandates authentication of election results at polling units before transmission to the IReV portal.
• INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, confirmed the final register will be certified by December 15, 2026, after addressing all valid issues.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has introduced an additional safeguard requiring election results to be authenticated directly at polling units before their transmission to the commission’s Election Results Viewing portal, known as IReV.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported a significant volume of feedback on its Preliminary Register of Voters, with a total of 5,400 claims and objections submitted. Specifically, the commission received over 4,800 claims and approximately 600 objections, as part of its ongoing efforts to refine the voter database in preparation for the 2027 general elections. These figures, current as of Thursday, were disclosed by INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, during a meeting with the ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission in Abuja.

Prof. Amupitan explained that the claims were primarily lodged at registration areas where the preliminary register was publicly displayed, while objections were channeled through electoral officers and Resident Electoral Commissioners. The majority of these submissions pertain to minor corrections and other administrative adjustments. The online accessibility of the register has also played a crucial role in identifying existing discrepancies, confirming issues that the commission had previously noted. With more than 103 million registered voters currently on the register, the accuracy of this database is paramount for the integrity of future elections.

In a move to bolster the credibility of the electoral system, INEC has introduced an additional safeguard requiring election results to be authenticated directly at polling units before their transmission to the commission’s Election Results Viewing portal, known as IReV. This measure aims to enhance transparency and trust in the results collation process. Furthermore, the commission is set to conduct a nationwide mock accreditation exercise in November. This critical test will simultaneously evaluate voter accreditation mechanisms and results transmission capabilities across all states, ensuring operational readiness for the upcoming polls.

Prof. Amupitan clarified that while the commission considered implementing entirely new technological solutions upon his assumption of office, time constraints led to a strategic decision to instead focus on enhancing and improving the existing electoral framework. This approach is designed to strengthen the overall electoral process ahead of the next general elections, building on established systems rather than introducing disruptive changes. The INEC Chairman has given assurances that all valid claims and objections concerning the INEC Preliminary Register of Voters will be thoroughly addressed before the Final Register of Voters is officially certified on December 15, 2026, underscoring the determination to eliminate discrepancies and ensure an accurate register for the 2027 general elections.

The commission has been actively engaged in comprehensive readiness assessments across various geopolitical zones of Nigeria. These assessments have included visits to the South-West in Lagos, the North-West in Kaduna, the South-East in Enugu, and the North-East in Gombe, with plans to visit the North-Central zone in the coming week. These evaluations have already informed adjustments to deployment plans, particularly in regions characterized by challenging terrain and security concerns, ensuring that logistical arrangements are robust and responsive to local conditions.

Reflecting on his tenure since being sworn in on October 23, 2025, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, highlighted INEC's experience in conducting four major off-cycle elections and 16 by-elections within his first year. He cited the Anambra State governorship election, held just two weeks after he took office, as a benchmark for improved electoral administration. The results for this election were concluded and announced within a single day, a significant improvement compared to the approximately five days it took in 2022. Lessons learned from the Anambra election were subsequently applied to other key polls, including the Federal Capital Territory election in February, the Ekiti State governorship election in June, and the Osun State governorship election on August 8, 2026, demonstrating a consistent effort to refine and expedite election processes.

Lawyers involved in election petition litigation or advising political parties should note the ongoing cleanup of Nigeria's voter register and the new authentication safeguard for IReV results, as these developments will directly impact the evidentiary basis and procedural challenges in future election disputes, particularly for the 2027 general elections.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH.