2027: Nigeria voter register now stands at 103 millions -INEC

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the country’s national voter register now stands at 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan disclosed this in his keynote address at the strategic workshop for editors organised by the Nigerian Guild Of Editors (NGE) in collaboration with INEC on Monday in Abuja.

Amupitan recalls in line with Section 10 of the Electoral Act 2026, the first Phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) commenced on Aug. 25, 2025 and ended on Dec. 10, 2025 during which a total of 2,611,266 voters were registered.

He also noted that during the Phase II of the exercise held between Jan. 5 and April a total 4,121,835 voters was also registered, while in the Phase III which was held between May 11 and July 26, a total of 3,867,997 voters were also registered.

“The total new registration stands at 10,772,421, subject to the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) verification currently being concluded.

“In the third phase, we introduced the Online Registration Portal technology to eliminate barriers of distance and time.

“Furthermore, we introduced Printable PVC technology in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 to ensure that waiting months for a card becomes a relic of the past.

“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,” Amupitan said.

Amupitan pledging that the commission was committed that no voter is disenfranchised, cited a situation in Osun where some Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) were stolen before the election and how the commission took prompt actions to ensure no voter was disenfranchised in the election.

“I want to place on record that during the Osun election, when PVCs of some wards in some local government were stolen, and you thought that they will be completely disenfranchised.

“Instantly, we used this technology to print, not to disable those PVCs that were stolen, and also implemented the downloadable PVCs, which those electorates used, and casted them, just to ensure inclusivity and that nobody was disenfranchised,”

He reminded the Nigerian public that the nationwide collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) would commence on Oct. 9, urging them to come out and collect their voting cards.

“We have completed the processing and distribution of Phase 1 PVCs to all local government centres.

“We appeal to the Nigerian Guild of Editors and all media executives present to leverage your platforms to inform citizens, explain collection locations, and encourage registered voters to collect their cards promptly,” Amupitan said