Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed December 15 2026, for publishing the final copy of the voters’ register.
INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, disclosed this at the South-South Zonal Interactive Meeting with the commission’s staff in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the weekend.
He also reacted to concerns over allegedly AI-generated photographs appearing on the Commission’s preliminary voters’ register, saying the records are being examined for possible corrective action.
According to Amupitan, the Commission is reviewing the photographs and will take necessary steps based on verified findings.
He urged Nigerians to participate in the ongoing display, claims and objections process to identify irregularities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The INEC chairman urged eligible voters to scrutinise the preliminary register and report suspected errors.
He stressed that public participation was important to ensuring the credibility and accuracy of the final document.
He said the final voters’ register was scheduled for publication on December 15, 2026.
Amupitan’s response comes amid concerns over the authenticity of some photographs uploaded on the preliminary register published online by the Commission.
Questions have been raised about possible irregularities in the voter registration records.
He disclosed that the South-South geopolitical zone had 15,823,550 registered voters, with Rivers State accounting for 3,736,434.
He assured Nigerians that INEC would ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised through administrative negligence or logistical failures during the 2027 elections.
On preparations for the polls, Amupitan said the Commission was strengthening its technological capacity, including preparations for the deployment of 57,000 newly procured Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices.
He added that INEC was auditing its electronic result management systems to strengthen transparency in the transmission of results through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
The chairman also identified the peculiar geographical features of the South-South, particularly its creeks, coastal settlements and riverine communities, as major logistical challenges requiring special arrangements.
He disclosed that the Commission had finalised a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maritime Transporters Union to facilitate the timely and secure transportation of election personnel and materials to difficult-to-access communities.
On election security, Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s collaboration with security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
He stressed the need for intelligence-led planning and adequate protection for voters, electoral materials and personnel.
He warned that anyone who threatens or attacks electoral officials, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed for election duties, would face the full weight of the law.
The INEC chairman also cautioned electoral officers against partisanship, negligence, absenteeism and financial impropriety, saying such conduct would attract disciplinary action.
He said the Commission was assessing its operational readiness through field engagements, drawing lessons from recent governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, FCT Area Council elections and 16 by-elections.
Amupitan further highlighted staff welfare measures introduced by the Commission, including the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS), enhanced salaries, hazard and field allowances.
He also disclosed that INEC had increased monthly overhead allocations to its state offices by 150 per cent, with the adjustment taking effect from July 1, 2026.
