2027: APP petitions INEC over suspected padding of voter register in Imo LG

In Imo State, the opposition Action Peoples Party (APP) has formally complained to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about what it claims are inflated voter registrations in the Ugirike/Okwu/Eziama Registration Area (16-08-10) within Ikeduru Local Government Area. The APP argues that one ward has 17% of the LGA's voters while occupying only 9% of the polling units. This discrepancy led the party to request a forensic audit before the final voter register is certified on December 15, 2026.

The APP's concerns were raised after the INEC identified irregularities, such as AI-generated photographs, during the public display of the preliminary register on October 27, 2026. The party demands a thorough examination of the 16-08-10-011 to 016 and 019 to 021 polling units, including the full biometric de-duplication of records and verification of each registrant's eligibility and residence.

The APP also wants to know how many registrations were added during each phase of Continuous Voter Registration, and by which devices and officers.

Furthermore, the party requests the removal of any invalid records and the withholding of affected entries from the certified register until the audit is complete. The APP also seeks disciplinary action and prosecution for those found guilty of inflating the voter register. They also ask for access to observe the audit process and a written response within 14 days.

The APP believes that a padded voter register in one ward is a fraud on every genuine voter in the senatorial district, regardless of their political affiliation. They insist that the people of Imo East will not tolerate an election conducted on figures that cannot withstand scrutiny.