The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has started the 100-day countdown to the 2027 general elections, with Lagos State recording the highest number of registered voters. According to INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, the commission has completed nine of the 14 critical milestones in its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the elections. Amupitan disclosed this at a world press conference in Abuja, where he provided an update on INEC's preparations for the polls.
Lagos has topped the state-by-state breakdown with 7,488,633 registered voters, followed by Kano with 6,570,276 and Kaduna with 4,662,640. The total number of registered voters ahead of the 2027 elections stands at 103,428,715. INEC will display the voter register for public scrutiny from October 9 to 15, 2026, in line with Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026. This move aims to ensure the accuracy and transparency of the voter register.
The North-West geopolitical zone has emerged as the most represented region, with 25,083,411 registered voters, followed by the South-West with 19,614,274 and North-Central with 16,965,787. By demographic profile, male voters number 53,528,218, representing 51.75 per cent, while female voters account for 49,900,497, or 48.25 per cent. Voters aged between 35 and 49 constitute the largest age group, with 43,265,946 voters, representing 41.83 per cent of the register.
To strengthen the credibility of the 2027 elections, INEC has established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division within its ICT Department to detect anomalies in election results and counter disinformation. The commission has integrated automated AI auditing tools into its results verification process under a five-pillar AI governance framework, with mandatory human oversight. This move aims to tackle the growing use of generative AI, voice cloning, and deepfake videos to fabricate election-related information.
INEC is upgrading its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, conducting nationwide audits and stress tests, and planning a nationwide mock accreditation exercise in November. The commission will deploy 57,000 newly procured BVAS devices for voter verification and other election-related processes during the polls. INEC will also establish a situation room for real-time monitoring before, during, and after the elections.
The Nigeria Police Force has assured Nigerians that it is working with other security agencies to stabilise areas affected by security challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, said the Force had activated operational and tactical assets to assess security threats and protect voters, election materials, and collation centres. The police will rely on legitimate authority rather than "power" in regulating the conduct of the elections.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, has pledged continued support for Nigeria's electoral process, describing the 2027 elections as an opportunity to reaffirm the strength of the country's democracy. Mignot urged stakeholders to support INEC and ensure that the commission has the resources required to conduct credible elections. Credible elections will provide elected leaders with the popular legitimacy required to discharge their mandates over the next four years.
Key points
- Lagos State has the highest number of registered voters with 7,488,633.
- INEC has established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division to detect anomalies in election results and counter disinformation.
- The Nigeria Police Force is working with other security agencies to stabilise areas affected by security challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections.
