The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been accused of violating the Electoral Act 2026 by failing to publish the preliminary voters’ register on its official website within the stipulated period ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Under Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, INEC is required to make copies of the preliminary voters’ register available for public scrutiny at registration areas across the country and on its official website for seven days, not later than 90 days before a general election.
With the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, the deadline for INEC to announce the seven-day period for displaying the register was October 18, 2026.
INEC had conducted a nationwide display of the preliminary voters’ register at registration areas between October 9 and 15, allowing registered voters to verify their details and identify errors or omissions.
However, the commission reportedly failed to publish the register online within the required period. As of October 21, the online portal for the preliminary register continued to display a message stating that there were no preliminary registers available and advising visitors to check back later.
INEC spokesperson Mohammed Haruna said the commission had published the register for public scrutiny at registration areas between October 9 and 15.
He explained that the commission was receiving and compiling claims and objections from members of the public to produce a clean version of the register for publication by December 15, 2026.
However, the explanation raised further questions about the requirement to publish the register online, in addition to displaying it physically at registration areas.
A Lagos-based legal practitioner, Mujeeb Abdulwasiu, described the failure to publish the register online within the stipulated period as a breach of the law. He maintained that Section 19 requires both physical and online publication within the prescribed timeframe.
The Electoral Act also provides penalties for failure to display or publish the voters’ register as required. Under Section 19(5), an INEC official who fails to comply commits an offence punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of ₦100,000, or both.
The preliminary voters’ register is intended to enable citizens to verify their registration details before the final register is prepared. It also allows registered voters to challenge the inclusion of ineligible persons, report deceased persons whose names remain on the register, and seek corrections where their details are inaccurate or their names have been omitted.
The law requires INEC to consider objections and complaints concerning the register within 14 days following the relevant display or publication.
The commission’s handling of the register has attracted criticism from Nigerians on social media, with some users calling for greater transparency and accountability ahead of the 2027 elections.
The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
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