Two prominent election advocacy groups, MundX Analytics and Actizens Social Impact Foundation (ASIF), have jointly called for an independent scrutiny of electoral records in Nigeria. The groups made this appeal during a pre-summit world press conference in Awka, Anambra State, on Friday. The conference was held to introduce a forthcoming summit on the roles citizens can play in ensuring credible elections in 2027. The groups highlighted recent concerns over discrepancies in the voters' register and previously declared election results.
The advocacy groups revealed that there have been instances of infiltration of INEC portals with AI-generated images attached to printed voter's cards. Additionally, there has been a significant rise in the number of registered voters in some polling units in Edo State, suspected to be linked to politicians. These revelations have raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The groups are now seeking a critical examination of these issues to ensure the credibility of future elections.
The forthcoming summit, themed '2027 Election Evidence Summit', is scheduled to take place on November 30, 2026. The event will focus on the roles citizens can play in preserving polling unit results as evidence for election tribunals. One of the key issues to be addressed is the significant increase in registered voters in some wards, suspected to be linked to politicians. The summit will bring together various stakeholders, including INEC officials, electoral candidates, civil society groups, and legal practitioners.
During the press conference, Mr. Martin Uwakwe of MundX Analytics highlighted a specific case of a polling unit in Edo State. The unit had 397 registered voters during the 2024 governorship election but recorded 4,783 voters in the 2026 preliminary register. This represents an increase of 4,386 voters, or approximately 1,105%. Uwakwe emphasized that the summit will question the circumstances surrounding this significant increase and seek a documented explanation from INEC.
Mr. Chidi Lucky Kanu, Executive Director of Actizens Social Impact Foundation, also addressed the press conference. He examined records relating to the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State and challenged INEC, electoral stakeholders, journalists, and Nigerians to subject the findings to rigorous scrutiny. Kanu emphasized the importance of strengthening mechanisms for preserving authentic polling-unit results for independent verification and lawful electoral dispute resolution.
The summit will examine the legal and technological possibilities of independently preserving polling-unit results. This includes the conditions under which such records may be useful in election tribunals. The event aims to promote lawful election observation, documentation of polling-unit activities, and preservation of authentic result-sheet evidence. Citizen-generated records must satisfy applicable legal requirements before they can be relied upon in election petitions.
The advocacy groups' initiative seeks to promote credible elections in Nigeria. By bringing together various stakeholders, the summit aims to foster a collaborative approach to addressing electoral challenges. The groups believe that this initiative will help to ensure that future elections in Nigeria are credible and reflective of the will of the people.
Key points
- The advocacy groups are calling for an independent scrutiny of electoral records to ensure the credibility of the 2027 elections.
- The forthcoming summit will examine the roles citizens can play in preserving polling unit results as evidence for election tribunals.
- The groups have raised concerns over discrepancies in the voters' register and previously declared election results, including instances of AI-generated images attached to printed voter's cards.
