Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has demanded the immediate publication of the preliminary voters’ register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), raising concerns about transparency and the credibility of the 2027 general election process.
Atiku said the failure to make the register available online during the announced October 9 to October 15 public scrutiny period raised serious questions about electoral transparency and the integrity of the voter registration process.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said Nigerians were unable to inspect the register despite INEC’s announcement that the country had more than 103 million registered voters.
“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. A figure cannot answer an objection. A press announcement cannot tell a voter whether her name has been omitted. Show Nigerians the register,” he said.
Atiku cited Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, arguing that the law requires the voters’ register to be displayed at registration areas and online for public scrutiny.
He also questioned what he described as conflicting statements about the display exercise, alleging that INEC’s chairman had said on October 5 that the public display had already been completed, while the commission subsequently announced October 9 to October 15 as the scrutiny period.
“Which statement is true? Where was the register published? For seven full days, or for no days at all? INEC must produce the dates, the links and the records of access,” he said.
The former vice-president also raised concerns about Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which he said permits a returning officer to count a ballot paper without INEC’s official mark if satisfied that it came from a book supplied to the polling unit.
He questioned how the origin of such ballot papers would be established and what safeguards would prevent counterfeit ballots.
“Nigerians cannot be denied access to the voters’ register before election day and then be asked to accept unmarked ballot papers after voting,” Atiku said, urging INEC to establish enforceable safeguards and the National Assembly to address what he described as potential loopholes.
He further alleged that INEC had yet to respond to inquiries about the identities of companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials.
Atiku maintained that the ADC and its presidential candidate had the right to demand transparency from the electoral commission over the procedures that would determine the credibility of the forthcoming presidential election.
Addressing President Bola Tinubu directly, he linked the concerns over the voters’ register to the economic and security challenges facing Nigerians.
“You will not add an unseen voters’ register to their suffering and call it a route to another four years in office,” he said.
Atiku warned that voters must be allowed to inspect the register, challenge false entries and correct omissions, adding that he would challenge any denial of those rights through lawful means.
He urged INEC to publish the register by local government, area council and ward, explain the conflicting dates, and allow voters to challenge inaccurate entries and restore omitted names.
He also called on Nigeria’s international partners, election observers and democratic institutions to publicly press INEC to comply with the law.
Atiku said transparency before election day was as important as scrutiny of election results, urging stakeholders to demand access to the register and clarification on how ballot papers would be authenticated.
“The right to vote begins with the right to know that your name is on the list. INEC must stop hiding behind a blank screen. Publish the register. Open it to scrutiny. Answer the country,” he said.
