The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed December 15, 2026, for the final publication of the voters' register. This was announced by Professor Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Commission, at the South-South Zonal Interactive Meeting with INEC Staff in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The meeting aimed to address concerns and interact with INEC staff in the region. Amupitan emphasized the importance of public participation in the ongoing display, claims, and objections process.
Amupitan reacted to concerns over allegedly AI-generated photographs appearing on the Commission's preliminary voters' register. He stated that the records are being examined for possible corrective action. The INEC chairman urged eligible voters to scrutinize the preliminary register and report suspected errors. This process is crucial to ensuring the credibility and accuracy of the final document. The Commission is reviewing the photographs and will take necessary steps based on verified findings.
The South-South geopolitical zone has 15,823,550 registered voters, with Rivers State accounting for 3,736,434. Amupitan assured Nigerians that INEC would ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised through administrative negligence or logistical failures during the 2027 elections. The Commission is strengthening its technological capacity, including preparations for the deployment of 57,000 newly procured Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices.
INEC is also auditing its electronic result management systems to strengthen transparency in the transmission of results through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. The chairman identified the peculiar geographical features of the South-South, particularly its creeks, coastal settlements, and riverine communities, as major logistical challenges requiring special arrangements. To address this, the Commission has finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maritime Transporters Union.
The Memorandum of Understanding aims to facilitate the timely and secure transportation of election personnel and materials to difficult-to-access communities. Amupitan reaffirmed INEC's collaboration with security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). He stressed the need for intelligence-led planning and adequate protection for voters, electoral materials, and personnel.
Amupitan warned that anyone who threatens or attacks electoral officials, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed for election duties, would face the full weight of the law. He also cautioned electoral officers against partisanship, negligence, absenteeism, and financial impropriety, saying such conduct would attract disciplinary action. The Commission is assessing its operational readiness through field engagements.
INEC has introduced staff welfare measures, including the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS), enhanced salaries, hazard, and field allowances. The Commission has also increased monthly overhead allocations to its state offices by 150 percent, with the adjustment taking effect from July 1, 2026. The INEC chairman emphasized the importance of these measures in ensuring the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
Key points
- INEC sets December 15, 2026, for final publication of voters' register.
- The Commission is reviewing AI-generated photographs on the preliminary voters' register.
- INEC is strengthening technological capacity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
