Voter Register Crisis: CSOs, Speak Out Africa Initiative Make Formal Demands to INEC

Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI) and civil society organisations (CSOs) have outlined nine formal demands to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning the publication, accessibility, scrutiny, and integrity of Nigeria's voter register ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nine Formal Demands to INEC

1. Acknowledge Statutory Delay in Publishing the Preliminary Register

   Acknowledge statutory delay in making the Preliminary Register available online and publicly explain why the online publication did not occur within the period stated by law.

2. Revise the 2027 Elections Timetable

   Revise 2027 Elections Timetable/Extend Previously Scheduled Election Dates by Not Less Than 8 Days to remedy the 8-day loss caused by INEC's failure to publish the online Register of Voters within the statutory 90-day period under Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.

3. Identify and Prosecute Responsible Officials, Subject to Due Process

   Identify the INEC official or staff member responsible for the failure to publish the register as required by Section 19(1) and prosecute in accordance with Section 19(5) of the Electoral Act 2026, subject to due process.

4. Ensure Unrestricted Access to the Online Voters Register

   Make the online voters register fully accessible to all Nigerians without current restrictions, including registered Nigerian voters residing outside Nigeria who are seeking to verify their voter information.

5. Remove Restrictions on Register Inspection

   Remove restrictions on the number of times users access or inspect the register.

6. Clarify the Statutory 14-Day Inspection Period

   Clarify how the statutory 14-day period under Section 19(2) is being calculated, particularly in circumstances where the online register was not available during the statutory period and where access to the online register remains restricted as it is currently.

7. Investigate Allegations of Synthetic Voter Photographs and Duplicate Entries

   Investigate the reported allegations concerning AI-generated/synthetic voter photographs and duplicate entries, including cases reportedly showing identical photographs and/or other identical identifying information under different voter numbers, and make the report public.

8. Publish a Timetable for Resolving Claims and Objections

   Provide a clear timetable for receiving, investigating, and resolving all claims, objections, and correction requests arising from the online scrutiny exercise before certification and publication of the final register.

9. Guarantee Meaningful Public Scrutiny Before Final Certification

   Take all necessary steps to ensure that the final Register of Voters is not certified or published without first giving citizens and stakeholders a meaningful opportunity to identify and challenge material discrepancies contained in the Preliminary Register.

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