The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified approximately 1.5 million questionable voter registration records during its verification exercise ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The discovery forms part of the commission’s efforts to clean up the National Register of Voters and address irregularities that could affect the credibility of the electoral process.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed the development during a meeting with a United Nations delegation led by Leonardo Santos Simão, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The exercise is expected to help strengthen the accuracy and reliability of the voters’ register before the next general elections.
Over 1.27 Million Invalid Records Already Removed
Although approximately 1.5 million registrations were initially flagged for irregularities, subsequent verification has established that more than 1.27 million records were invalid and have been removed from the database.
According to INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, the commission used its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to examine registrations submitted during the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
Premium Times reported that more than 11 million people registered during the exercise, with about 1.5 million records initially identified as suspicious. However, approximately 268,000 records remained subject to further verification at the time of the report. This means that being flagged does not automatically establish that a registration is fraudulent or invalid.
Concerns Over Alleged Manipulation of Voter Records
The discovery has raised questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s voter registration process. INEC’s ICT director reportedly disclosed that some registration officials allegedly misused their official access to introduce questionable entries into the database.
Among the irregularities identified were suspected duplicate registrations, photographs appearing on multiple voter profiles and images believed to have been generated using artificial intelligence.
The commission has indicated that the matter requires further investigation, including appropriate action against officials found responsible. The findings have also increased calls for transparency and accountability in the management of the national voter register.
Nigeria Has Approximately 103 Million Registered Voters
INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan disclosed that Nigeria currently has approximately 103 million registered voters.
He also noted that young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 34 account for nearly 29 per cent of the registered electorate, highlighting the importance of youth participation in the country’s democratic process. The commission is continuing its nationwide voter register review through the claims and objections process. The final register is scheduled for publication on December 15, 2026.
Meanwhile, the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) is ongoing across the country.
INEC Strengthens Preparations for 2027 Elections
Beyond cleaning up the voter register, INEC says it is strengthening its electoral technology ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission plans to continue using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to provide public access to polling-unit results. Amupitan also disclosed plans for a mock accreditation and election exercise to test the technology, identify operational challenges and improve public confidence before the elections. He further identified misinformation, disinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence as potential threats to electoral integrity.
Public Confidence Remains Important Ahead of 2027
The discovery of questionable voter registration records has placed renewed attention on the importance of accurate electoral data.
While the removal of confirmed invalid records is part of the commission’s verification process, the remaining entries must also be properly reviewed to avoid excluding legitimate voters. As preparations continue, Nigerians will be watching how INEC handles the outstanding records, publishes the final register and addresses concerns surrounding the registration process.
The December 15 publication date will be an important milestone in determining the outcome of the ongoing voter register clean-up ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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