Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Nigeria’s preliminary voters’ register for public scrutiny, raising concerns over access to the list ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, said voters must be given the opportunity to verify their registration details, identify omitted names and challenge suspected fraudulent entries before election day.
He made the demand in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, following INEC’s announcement that the country’s registered voters had exceeded 103 million.
Atiku alleged that Nigerians who attempted to access the register through the commission’s online portal during the scheduled inspection period of October 9 to 15 could not view the list.
“INEC has announced more than 103 million registered voters. Nigerians went to its portal to inspect the names and found an empty page. That is an outrage. A figure cannot answer an objection. A press announcement cannot tell a voter whether her name has been omitted. Show Nigerians the register,” he said.
He also questioned the timing of the inspection exercise, citing an alleged statement by INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan on October 5 that the public display of the register had already been completed, before the commission announced October 9 to 15 for claims and objections.
“Nigerians were subsequently told it would take place from October 9 to 15. Which statement is true? Where was the register published? For seven full days, or for no days at all? INEC must produce the dates, the links and the records of access,” he said.
The former vice-president urged the commission to make the register available by local government area, area council and ward, arguing that voters needed sufficient time to verify their details and request corrections.
“Publish the register by local government, area council and ward. Explain the conflicting dates. Give voters the full opportunity the law provides to challenge false entries and restore omitted names,” he said.
Atiku cited Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which he said requires the voters’ register to be displayed at registration areas and online for public inspection. He also raised concerns about Section 63(2), which provides for a ballot paper without the commission’s official mark to be counted if a returning officer is satisfied that it came from a book supplied to the relevant polling unit.
He called on INEC to explain the safeguards for authenticating such ballot papers and ensuring political parties could challenge questionable ballots.
“Nigerians cannot be denied access to the voters’ register before election day and then be asked to accept unmarked ballot papers after voting. INEC must set out enforceable safeguards against counterfeit ballots, and the National Assembly must close any loophole that leaves the authenticity of a vote to an officer’s unsupported assurance,” he said.
The ADC presidential candidate further urged INEC to disclose the identities of companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials, claiming that requests for the information had not received a response. He also called on international partners, election observers and democratic institutions to press for greater transparency in the electoral process.
“Transparency before the vote is as essential as scrutiny of the results afterward,” Atiku said.
He added, “The right to vote begins with the right to know that your name is on the list. INEC must stop hiding behind a blank screen. Publish the register. Open it to scrutiny. Answer the country.”
INEC had announced on October 5 that the national voters’ register had surpassed 103 million following the completion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and a biometric cleanup. The commission subsequently scheduled October 9 to 15 for the display of the preliminary register to allow claims and objections ahead of the 2027 general election.
