Abuja, Nigeria The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday announced a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic landscape, confirming that the National Register of Voters has now surpassed 103 million. This follows the successful conclusion of a three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and a thorough biometric cleanup process.
Expanding Electorate and Robust Registration
Professor Joash Amupitan, the INEC Chairman, made this crucial disclosure in his keynote address at a One-Day Strategic Workshop for Editors, organized by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with the commission in Abuja. He revealed that the CVR exercise recorded 10,772,421 new registrations, which underwent rigorous verification by the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
“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,” Professor Amupitan stated.
This achievement comes after earlier projections. INEC had first anticipated reaching the 100 million mark in August, when Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education Committee, noted the register, then at over 93 million, was expected to cross this threshold. By September, the Chairman confirmed the register was “approaching the 100 million mark” after the new registrations were processed.
PVC Collection and Media Collaboration
In a related development, Professor Amupitan announced that the nationwide collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) is scheduled to commence on Friday, October 9, 2026. He assured the public that the commission has already completed the processing and distribution of Phase 1 PVCs to all local government centers, positioning them for timely collection.
The INEC Chairman specifically appealed to the media to play a vital role in informing citizens about the various collection locations and to encourage all registered voters to collect their cards promptly, emphasizing the importance of active participation in the electoral process.
Technological Advancements for the 2027 General Elections
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, INEC has made significant technological upgrades. The commission has acquired 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices. These devices, according to Professor Amupitan, have undergone extensive enhancements, including software hardening, battery optimization, and biometric calibration. This meticulous process aims to prevent accreditation bypass and eliminate any potential for manual manipulation, thereby bolstering the integrity of the voting system.
“We have instituted hardware, software, and cybersecurity enhancements across our technological architecture. We have acquired 57,000 new BVAS for optimal performance,” the Chairman explained. These technological strides are integral to strengthening the electoral process ahead of the January 16, 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections, and the February 6, 2027 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls.
Unyielding Stance Against Vote Buying
INEC is also taking an uncompromising stand against vote buying in all its forms. The commission has forged a “strengthened coalition” with the Federal Ministry of Justice and leading anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
Joint financial monitoring teams will be deployed to track illegal campaign spending and conduct undercover surveillance at polling units nationwide. Professor Amupitan issued a stern warning to political actors, stating that any party or candidate found engaging in vote buying will face immediate arrest and prosecution under the Electoral Act 2026. “Elections must be decided by the conviction of the voter, not the depth of a candidate’s pocket,” he asserted, underscoring INEC’s commitment to free, fair, and credible elections.