The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed 1,609,553 records from Nigeria's national register of voters following a clean-up of the 2025/2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. This move aims to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, announced this development in Abuja while addressing newsmen on the display and publication of the preliminary voter register.
According to Professor Amupitan, 54 officials across ten states have been identified as complicit in the irregularities and will face disciplinary action and possible prosecution. The removed records comprise 1,608,660 confirmed invalid registrations and 873 records belonging to verified deceased persons. INEC harvested 11,088,238 records from the three phases of the 2025/2026 CVR, with the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) initially flagging 1,545,052 of these for examination.
The clean-up exercise examined suspected multiple registrations, unusual registration patterns, substituted photographs, and irregularities in registration transactions. INEC found that some registration personnel acted deliberately to compromise the process. However, Professor Amupitan stressed that the clean-up does not resolve the wider problem, as most duplicate names and pictures circulating on social media relate to the old register covering 2011 to 2023.
The distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) is ongoing at Local Government Areas (LGAs) nationwide, with cards for Phases 1 and 2 and transferred PVCs being distributed. Some cards for the third and final phase are being delivered and will be dispatched to states by next week. From December 1, 2026, distribution will return to the Registration Areas.
Professor Amupitan appealed for patience from third-phase registrants, noting that the cards were produced outside the country. He assured Nigerians that Election Day safeguards, including the Standard Operating Procedures for Presiding Officers and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), would check multiple voting.
INEC's efforts to sanitize the voter register are crucial in ensuring the credibility of the electoral process. The commission's actions demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability. By taking disciplinary action against complicit officials, INEC aims to prevent similar irregularities in the future.
The removal of invalid registrations and the ongoing distribution of PVCs are essential steps towards a credible and transparent electoral process. Nigerians are encouraged to verify their registration status and collect their PVCs. With these measures, INEC is working to ensure that the electoral process is free, fair, and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people.
Key points
- 1.6m invalid registrations removed from Nigeria's voter register
- 54 officials to face disciplinary action for complicity in irregularities
- PVC distribution ongoing, with third-phase cards to be dispatched soon
