Nigeria’s national voter register has risen to over 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at a strategic workshop for editors organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with the commission.
Amupitan said the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise produced 10,772,421 new registrations, after which the commission completed its final Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) cleanup.
“Following the conclusion of our three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which captured over 10.6 million new applicants, and the completion of the public display of the preliminary register for claims and objections, our Voter Register Department has completed the final Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) cleanup.
“Nigeria’s National Register of Voters is now over 103 million,” he said.
The INEC chairman also announced that nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will commence on Friday, October 9.
He said Phase 1 PVCs had been processed and distributed to all local government centres ahead of the exercise.
Amupitan urged the media to provide citizens with accurate information on collection centres and encourage registered voters to collect their cards.
INEC acquires 57,000 BVAS
Amupitan disclosed that INEC had acquired 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the devices had undergone software hardening, battery optimisation and biometric calibration to strengthen voter accreditation and prevent manipulation.
“We have instituted hardware, software, and cybersecurity enhancements across our technological architecture. We have acquired 57,000 new BVAS for optimal performance,” he said.
He added that the commission had enhanced its electronic EC8A system to ensure polling unit result sheets are digitised, cryptographically authenticated and uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal.
INEC targets simultaneous voting
The commission is also targeting simultaneous commencement of voting across all polling units nationwide during the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan said INEC was drawing lessons from recent off-cycle elections to improve logistics, personnel deployment and technology.
“I want to see a general election where voting starts in all the polling units in Nigeria at the same time. That is what we are targeting, where logistics is well-addressed, and where our technology works optimally,” he said.
He said INEC had commenced early procurement and distribution of non-sensitive election materials to state offices and acquired new operational vehicles for state and local government areas.
The commission has also commenced nationwide zonal readiness assessments to identify vulnerabilities and address potential logistical challenges ahead of election day.
INEC vows to tackle vote-buying
Amupitan said INEC had strengthened its collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to tackle vote-buying.
He said joint financial monitoring teams would track illegal campaign spending and conduct surveillance at polling units.
“The integrity of the ballot box is fatally compromised when a citizen’s vote is treated as a commodity for sale,” Amupitan said.
He warned political parties and candidates that anyone found engaging in vote-buying would face arrest and prosecution under the Electoral Act 2026.
INEC introduces printable PVC
The INEC chairman also announced the introduction of printable PVCs in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.
According to him, the technology is designed to eliminate unnecessary delays in obtaining voter cards.
He said the system had been tested during the Osun governorship election and enabled voters whose PVCs had been stolen to participate in the election.
Amupitan said INEC also introduced an online registration portal during the third phase of the CVR exercise to make voter registration more accessible.
Results to be declared promptly
The INEC chairman said transparent and effective management of election results remained a major priority ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the commission would ensure results were managed transparently and declared as soon as collation was completed.
“Because the only way that can save us in this country from all the problems we’ve had since 2023 is if we manage our results effectively, optimally, and transparently, and then ensure that the results are declared as soon as the work of collation is completed,” he said.
Amupitan said INEC was 101 days away from the January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6.
He said the commission had completed eight of the 14 major statutory activities contained in its revised timetable.
The INEC chairman urged editors and news organisations to prioritise factual reporting and verification ahead of the elections.
President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, said media credibility was essential to the credibility of the electoral process.
Anaba said the Guild would work with INEC and other stakeholders to promote credible elections, stressing that Nigerians should be able to determine electoral outcomes through their votes rather than through litigation.
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