The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come under criticism for failing to publish the preliminary voters’ register on its website for public scrutiny within the period prescribed by the Electoral Act 2026, raising concerns about transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The controversy followed the expiration of the October 18 deadline for INEC to designate the seven-day period for displaying or publishing the register, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires the commission to make copies of the voters’ register for each local government area, area council or ward available for public scrutiny at registration areas and on its official website or another website established for that purpose. The provision requires the exercise to take place not later than 90 days before a general election.
Although INEC conducted a nationwide display of preliminary voters’ registers at registration areas between October 9 and 15, the registers were still unavailable on its online portal as of Wednesday, October 21, according to a report by Premium Times. The portal reportedly displayed a notice stating that no preliminary registers were available and advised visitors to check back later.
However, INEC spokesperson Mohammed Haruna told Premium Times that the commission had displayed the register at registration areas to allow voters to submit claims and objections. “We published the voter register for claims and objections at our registration areas between October 9 & 15,” Haruna said.
He added that the commission was compiling submissions ahead of the publication of a clean copy of the register, which he said was expected by December 15, 2026, in line with the Electoral Act. However, he had yet to respond to a subsequent request for clarification after the newspaper raised the law’s requirement for online publication.
A Lagos-based legal practitioner, Mujeeb Abdulwasiu, described the failure to publish the register online within the prescribed period as a breach of the law. “It’s clearly a breach,” Abdulwasiu said, explaining that Section 19 requires the register to be made available both physically and online within the stipulated timeframe.
The Electoral Act also prescribes penalties for non-compliance. Under Section 19(5), an INEC official who fails to display or publish the register as required commits an offence punishable, upon conviction, with a fine of ₦100,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
The preliminary register is a key safeguard in the electoral process, allowing registered voters to verify their personal information, identify missing names and request corrections before the register is finalised. Section 19 also provides for the consideration of claims, objections and corrections within 14 days following the relevant display or publication.
The failure to make the register available online has also attracted criticism on social media, where some Nigerians have questioned the commission’s transparency and accountability. A user identified as @mundus01 accused INEC of disregarding the law by failing to publish the register online, while @MallamJabeer called for greater transparency in the management of the electoral process.
The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for February 6, 2027. The controversy over online access to the preliminary voters’ register has placed renewed focus on INEC’s compliance with statutory requirements as preparations for the polls continue.
Editorial note: The headline avoids presenting the legal allegation as a final court determination. The report distinguishes INEC’s explanation that the register was displayed physically from the criticism concerning its absence online.
