Nigeria: INEC Removes 1.6 Million Invalid Voter Records Ahead of 2027 Elections
Nigeria's electoral commission has removed more than 1.6 million invalid voter registrations and identified 54 personnel for possible disciplinary action, as it steps up efforts to protect the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Abuja, Nigeria — Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified its efforts to strengthen the country's electoral register after uncovering widespread irregularities during a nationwide review of voter registration records.
The commission announced that 1,608,660 invalid registrations had been removed following the exercise. It also identified 54 registration personnel across 10 states for disciplinary action, including possible prosecution, over their alleged involvement in registration irregularities.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed the findings during a press conference in Abuja while presenting the outcome of the review of the Preliminary Register of Voters.
According to the chairman, the exercise followed complaints, objections and requests for corrections submitted by members of the public after the preliminary register was displayed at registration areas between October 9 and 15, 2026.
The review uncovered cases involving suspected multiple registrations, questionable photographs and irregular registration activities. The commission also confirmed the removal of 873 records belonging to deceased voters as a separate category.
Professor Amupitan explained that some registration personnel allegedly bypassed established procedures and misused special provisions designed to accommodate exceptional registration circumstances, including those involving persons with disabilities.
He assured Nigerians that the commission was strengthening its biometric identification, authentication and verification systems to prevent similar incidents in future registration exercises.
The development comes as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, placing renewed attention on the accuracy and credibility of the national voters' register.
For INEC, the challenge now extends beyond removing questionable entries to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian can exercise their constitutional right to vote without unnecessary barriers.
