The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expunged 1,608,660 invalid voter registration records alongside 873 entries of deceased individuals from its preliminary register.
The commission also identified 54 registration personnel across 10 states for alleged involvement in registration irregularities.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, disclosed this during a press conference on the outcome of the review of the 2025/2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
The review followed complaints and objections raised by members of the public over the preliminary voters register.
Amupitan said the affected personnel had been identified for administrative investigation, with disciplinary measures, including possible prosecution, to be considered.
According to him, the review uncovered cases of multiple registrations, unusual registration patterns, substituted photographs and irregularities involving registration transactions.
What You Should Know
This major cleanup of the voter register by INEC aims to ensure that future elections feature a more accurate and credible database of eligible voters. By removing ghost voters, deceased individuals, and invalid entries, the electoral body is working to protect the integrity of the ballot.
- Positive Impact: A cleaner voter register reduces opportunities for electoral fraud, multiple voting, and manipulation, leading to fairer and more credible democratic outcomes.
- Potential Concerns: The identification of 54 registration personnel involved in irregularities highlights ongoing internal corruption challenges that could undermine public trust in electoral institutions if not thoroughly prosecuted.
