The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that Nigeria's national voter register has surpassed 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections. This disclosure was made by INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during a strategic workshop for editors organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with the commission in Abuja. The latest figure follows the completion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and the final cleaning of the voter register using the Automated Biometric Identification System.
According to Prof. Amupitan, a total of 10,772,421 new registrations were recorded during the three phases of the exercise. The first phase started on August 25, 2025, and ended on December 10, 2025, with 2,611,266 registrations. The second phase, which ran from January 5 to April 17, 2026, recorded 4,121,835 registrations. The third phase was conducted from May 11 to July 26, 2026, and recorded 3,867,997 registrations. The introduction of an online registration portal during the third phase made registration easier for people who faced challenges with distance and time.
INEC has also completed the public display of the Preliminary Register for claims and objections as well as the final Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) cleaning of the register. Following the conclusion of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, which captured over 10.6 million new applicants, the Voter Register Department has completed the final ABIS cleanup. This has ensured the accuracy and integrity of the voter register.
The commission has introduced printable Permanent Voter Cards in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026. This move aims to reduce the waiting period for voters to receive their cards. Nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards will begin on October 9, and INEC has urged registered voters to collect their cards ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Amupitan, has assured that the commission will continue to ensure that eligible voters are not prevented from taking part in elections. He cited the recent Osun governorship election, where some Permanent Voter Cards were stolen, and INEC printed replacement cards and provided downloadable PVCs to affected voters so they could still vote.
The commission has also integrated the National Identification Number into its voter registration process in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission. INEC has warned Nigerians against a fake online voter registration portal and urged them to ignore unofficial platforms claiming to offer fresh voter registration.
With the voter register now surpassing 103 million, INEC is making efforts to verify voter records and improve the accuracy of its database ahead of the 2027 elections. The commission has completed the processing and distribution of Phase 1 PVCs to all local government centres and urged the media to inform voters about the locations where they can collect their cards and encourage them to do so promptly.
Key points
- The voter register has surpassed 103 million.
- 10.7 million new registrations were recorded during the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
- Nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards will begin on October 9.
