INEC Admits 103m Voters’ Register Not On Website, Says Display Done At Ward Level Only

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has clarified that the preliminary voters’ register has been published at the ward level, but is yet to be uploaded to its official website.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this in an exclusive chat with The PUNCH on Sunday.

“The voter register has been published, but in the wards. It just wasn’t published on our website,” Haruna said.

The clarification comes amid concerns over accessibility, with Nigerians questioning the commission’s failure to make the register available online for public scrutiny within the stipulated period.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, in a statement issued on Thursday, had called on INEC to immediately publish the preliminary register, warning that its unavailability could undermine confidence ahead of the 2027 general election.

Atiku faulted INEC for failing to make the detailed register accessible online during the scheduled display period of October 9 to 15, 2026.

“While INEC 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,” Atiku said.

The controversy has brought renewed attention to Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires INEC to make copies of the register available for public scrutiny both on its official website and at every registration area for seven days, not later than 90 days to a general election.

“Subject to the provisions of section 9 (6) of this Act, the commission shall, not later than 90 days to a general election, appoint a period of seven days during which a copy of the voters’ register for each Local Government, Area Council or ward shall be displayed or published for public scrutiny at every registration area and on its official website or any website established by the commission for that purpose,” the Act states.

The display is intended to enable registered voters to confirm their details and allow the public to identify omissions or questionable entries before finalisation.