INEC Uncovers Voter Register Scandal, Sets 54 Officials For Sanctions

Commission expunges 1.6 million invalid records, flags manipulated photographs and multiple registrations ahead of 2027 elections

Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has deleted 1,609,553 invalid entries from the national voters’ register following a nationwide investigation that exposed multiple registrations, manipulated photographs and other irregularities.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, warning that 54 personnel across 10 states had been identified for alleged complicity in registration abuses. Those found culpable could face disciplinary action and possible prosecution.

The commission said the deleted records comprised 1,608,660 invalid registrations and 873 entries belonging to verified deceased voters.

According to Amupitan, the review uncovered deliberate attempts to circumvent registration procedures, including the misuse of provisions designed to accommodate exceptional circumstances.

He explained that the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) initially flagged suspicious entries for investigation, while subsequent public complaints and internal screening helped identify additional invalid records.

INEC also traced several irregularities to historical registrations conducted between 2011 and 2023, indicating that the problem extends beyond the latest Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

In response to concerns over artificial intelligence-generated and manipulated photographs, the commission has ordered an end to external webcam-based image uploads, directing that photographs must henceforth be captured through its approved application.

INEC further approved an Artificial Intelligence Governance Framework and promised stronger cybersecurity safeguards ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The commission said the final voters’ register would be published on December 15, 2026, after completing reconciliation and quality assurance.

Amupitan assured Nigerians that efforts to eliminate fraudulent entries would not compromise the rights of eligible voters, stressing that biometric accreditation safeguards would help prevent multiple voting.