INEC Targets Dec 15 For Publication Of Final Voters’ Register

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled December 15, 2026, for the final publication of the voters' register. Professor Joash Amupitan, the Commission's Chairman, announced this at a South-South Zonal Interactive Meeting with INEC staff in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Following concerns over AI-generated photographs on the preliminary voters' register, the Commission is reviewing the images to address any potential issues.

Amupitan urged Nigerians to participate in the claims and objections process to identify irregularities before the 2027 general elections. The final voters' register will be published on December 15, 2026, according to Amupitan. The South-South geopolitical zone has 15,823,550 registered voters, with Rivers State alone accounting for 3,736,434.

The Commission is enhancing its technological capabilities, procuring 57,000 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices and auditing electronic result management systems. Amupitan also highlighted logistical challenges, including the area's creeks, coastal settlements, and riverine communities, which require special arrangements during the election.

INEC is collaborating with security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to ensure election security and intelligence-led planning. The chairman cautioned against partisan, negligent, absent-minded, or financially improper conduct by electoral officers, emphasizing that such behavior would result in disciplinary action.