{
  "id": 19463859,
  "title": "2027: INEC must use existing voters register — Okoye",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/2027-inec-must-use-existing-voters-register-okoye",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-11T07:42:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/2027-inec-must-use-existing-voters-register-ex-inec-commissioner/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Festus Okoye, has stated that the commission has no option but to utilize the existing voters’ register for the upcoming 2027 elections, despite concerns about its credibility. Okoye, however, emphasized the need to create a new biometric voters’ register immediately following the elections, describing the current database as opaque and lacking in credibility. He made these remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, responding to questions about measures to instill confidence in the election’s voters’ register. Okoye acknowledged that there was little that could be done to address the issues before the next elections, asserting that the country would have to proceed with the current register. He further explained that the solution lies in conducting a fresh biometric registration exercise right after the 2027 general elections. Okoye asserted that the present voters’ register is not transparent and cannot be considered clean or genuine, but it remains the only option for the upcoming elections. He concluded by emphasizing the necessity of a new biometric voters’ register after the elections.",
  "summary": "A former INEC commissioner, Festus Okoye, says the commission must use the existing voters’ register for the 2027 elections despite concerns over its credi Read More: https://punchng.com/2027-inec-must-use-existing-voters-register-ex-inec-commissioner/",
  "key_points": [
    "Former INEC Commissioner Okoye states 2027 elections must use existing voters’ register.",
    "Okoye criticizes current register as opaque and untrustworthy.",
    "He proposes new biometric register after 2027 elections for credibility."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Relying on an opaque and unverified database for the 2027 elections forces the commission to prioritize procedural continuity over the immediate need for a credible, transparent biometric registration system.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}