Nigeria’s registered voters rise above 103m ahead of 2027 elections – INEC

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the country's registered voters have surpassed 103 million in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, revealed this information at a strategic workshop for media executives held in Abuja. The three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise yielded 10,772,421 new registrants, with 2,611,266 new voters added in the first phase, followed by 4,121,835 and 3,867,997 in the second and third phases, respectively.

INEC is currently in the final stages of verification through the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which will confirm the official voter count of over 103 million. The commission has completed eight of the 14 key activities for the 2027 elections, and preparations have entered the "amber zone." The preliminary display of the voters' register for claims and objections will occur from October 9 to 15, and the nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will commence on the same day.

To streamline the process, INEC has introduced printable PVC technology, which will enable faster distribution and easier replacement of lost or stolen cards. The commission has also acquired 57,000 additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines to enhance its technological infrastructure ahead of the elections. INEC is taking steps to bolster cybersecurity, implement artificial intelligence to detect unusual database activity, and strengthen the electronic result management system.

The chairman warned that any violations of the Electoral Act would result in arrest and prosecution. He also expressed concern over misinformation and disinformation on social media, urging journalists and editors to verify information before publication to maintain the credibility of the electoral process.