Former Vice-President, Atiku, Demands Transparency, Questions Voter Register Inspection Ahead of 2027 Elections
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain why Nigerians were allegedly unable to access the preliminary voters’ register during the period announced for public scrutiny, despite the commission’s claim that the register contains more than 103 million voters.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the demand on Thursday, October 22, 2026, amid growing concerns about transparency and public confidence in preparations for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku alleged that Nigerians who visited INEC’s online portal during the announced inspection period encountered an empty page instead of the register they were expected to scrutinise.
“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,” Atiku said.
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He argued that announcing the total number of registered voters was not enough, insisting that citizens must be able to verify their registration details, identify omissions and challenge questionable entries before the elections.
Atiku Questions INEC’s Conflicting Dates
The former vice-president also questioned what he described as conflicting information regarding the public display of the voters’ register.
According to reports, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, said on October 5 that the public display of the preliminary register had been completed. However, the commission also announced a period between October 9 and 15 for public scrutiny and claims or objections.
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Atiku demanded that INEC clarify the timeline and provide evidence of when and where the register was made available to the public.
He maintained that voters should not be denied the opportunity to confirm their names and correct errors before the election.
The controversy raises an important question for electoral administrators: how can voters effectively challenge omissions or questionable entries if they cannot access the register intended for public inspection?
What the Law Says About Public Inspection
Atiku cited Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, arguing that it requires the voters’ register to be displayed at registration areas and online for public scrutiny.
He called on INEC to publish the register in an accessible format, organised by local government area, area council and ward, and to explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged difficulty accessing it.
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The purpose of public inspection is to help identify errors, omissions and potentially ineligible or duplicate entries before election day.
However, Atiku’s allegations about the portal’s accessibility have not, in the reports reviewed for this article, been independently established as a nationwide failure. INEC’s response to his latest demands is also necessary to establish the commission’s account of the exercise.
Concerns Over Ballot Paper Authentication
Beyond the voters’ register, Atiku raised questions about Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which he said allows a returning officer to count a ballot paper without INEC’s official mark under specified circumstances.
He asked the commission to explain the safeguards for determining whether such ballot papers genuinely originated from books supplied to the relevant polling units.
Atiku argued that clear procedures should be established to protect the integrity of ballot papers and allow political parties to challenge disputed ballots.
He also called for greater transparency concerning companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials, alleging that inquiries about their identities had not received adequate responses.
These concerns form part of his wider demand for transparency in the administration of the 2027 elections.
INEC Says Voter Register Has Exceeded 103 Million
INEC announced in early October that Nigeria’s national register of voters had grown to more than 103 million following three phases of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise and a biometric verification process.
The commission reported that the registration phases produced 10,772,421 new registrations, subject to verification through its Automated Biometric Identification System.
The figures represent a substantial electorate ahead of the 2027 general elections and make public access to accurate registration information an important issue for voters, political parties and election observers.
INEC had announced a public inspection period in October for voters to examine the preliminary register and raise claims or objections.
The current dispute centres not on whether INEC announced the national total, but on Atiku’s allegation that the register was not accessible as expected during the designated inspection period.
Why the Dispute Matters Ahead of 2027
The credibility of an election depends not only on voting and the announcement of results but also on the processes leading up to election day.
Voters need a reasonable opportunity to confirm that their names appear on the register. Political parties and election observers also have an interest in ensuring that registration procedures are transparent and that legitimate complaints are addressed.
If the register cannot be accessed as scheduled, INEC needs to explain what happened, identify any technical or administrative problems and clarify how affected voters can exercise their rights.
Conversely, the commission should be given an opportunity to provide evidence of its compliance and explain any discrepancies between its announced timetable and the experiences reported by voters.
With the 2027 elections approaching, a clear and timely response could help address public concerns before they deepen.
Atiku has called on INEC to publish the register, explain the inspection timeline and provide the information needed for effective public scrutiny. He also urged election observers, democratic institutions and Nigeria’s international partners to press for transparency.
The central issue is straightforward: Nigerians need confidence that the list used to determine who can vote is accurate, accessible and open to lawful scrutiny.
For INEC, the challenge now is to address the allegations with clear explanations and verifiable information. For voters, the priority is to confirm their registration details and understand the procedures available for correcting errors before the 2027 elections.
Sources: The Guardian Nigeria, TheCable, Channels Television and INEC’s publicly reported statements on the national voters’ register.
This report distinguishes Atiku’s allegations from INEC’s publicly reported registration figures. The alleged failure of the online portal and the commission’s response require further independent verification.
