Nigeria’s electoral body has published its preliminary voter register online following widespread public pressure demanding greater transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Monday that citizens can now check their registration details on a dedicated web portal, complementing an earlier physical display carried out across the country earlier this month. The decision comes after civil society groups and voters raised concerns over relying solely on physical lists posted at local ward centers, calling for digital access to make it easier to spot errors, fraudulent entries, or missing names.
In a statement, INEC official Mohammed Haruna said the decision was taken to build “public confidence in the electoral process” and ensure wider public access.Under Nigerian electoral law, the preliminary display allows voters to make claims for missing details or raise objections against ineligible names on the roll. INEC said it is currently processing these submissions before certifying and publishing the final voter register on 15 December 2026.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous democracy, has routinely faced scrutiny over the accuracy of its voter database in past election cycles. The upcoming 2027 general election will mark the country’s seventh consecutive presidential election since its return to democratic rule in 1999.
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