Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately publish the preliminary register of more than 103 million registered voters ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that the commission’s failure to make the list accessible online could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, said Nigerians must be allowed to inspect the register, challenge questionable entries and correct omissions before the election.
He accused INEC of denying voters the opportunity to verify their registration details despite announcing a period for public scrutiny.
The former vice president faulted the commission for allegedly failing to upload the register to its online portal during the seven-day public scrutiny exercise scheduled for October 9 to 15.
He maintained that announcing the number of registered voters without providing access to their names was insufficient to guarantee transparency and accountability.
INEC had announced that registered voters could inspect the preliminary register during the period and raise objections to incorrect entries or report missing names. However, Atiku alleged that the exercise was compromised because the register was not available online as expected.
“INEC has announced more than 103 million registered voters. Nigerians went to its portal to inspect the names and found an empty page. That is an outrage,” he said, insisting that the commission must make the list available for public verification.
Atiku cited Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which he said requires the register to be displayed at registration areas and online. He called on INEC to publish the list according to local government areas, area councils, and wards to make verification easier for voters across the country.
He also demanded clarification over conflicting statements attributed to the commission’s chairman concerning when the public display took place. According to Atiku, the chairman reportedly said on October 5 that the exercise had already been completed, while the commission subsequently announced October 9 to 15 as the period for public scrutiny.
He called on INEC to provide the dates, links, and access records relating to the alleged online publication, arguing that the discrepancies required an explanation before the 2027 election.
The ADC presidential candidate also raised concerns about the authentication of ballot papers under Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026. The provision, as cited by Atiku, permits a returning officer to count a ballot paper without INEC’s official mark if the officer is satisfied that it came from a book supplied to the polling unit.
He questioned what evidence would establish the origin of such ballot papers and how political parties could challenge claims they considered false. He urged INEC to introduce enforceable safeguards against counterfeit ballots and called on the National Assembly to address any loopholes that could weaken electoral integrity.
The statement further alleged that INEC had yet to respond to inquiries about the companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials. Atiku argued that political parties and candidates were entitled to information about procedures that could affect the credibility of the presidential election.
He also urged international partners, election observers and democratic institutions to press the commission to comply with the law before election day.
Atiku warned that preventing voters from checking the register could create opportunities for manipulation by making it difficult to identify questionable additions, removals or omissions.
He insisted that transparency must begin before voting, urging INEC to publish the register, explain the conflicting dates and provide Nigerians with a full opportunity to verify their details and challenge irregularities.
