Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to publish the preliminary voters’ register for public scrutiny.
He raised concerns over its availability during the October 9 to 15 inspection period ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku said registered voters should be able to inspect the list, identify omissions and challenge suspected false entries before the election.
He made the call in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council.
The former vice-president’s demand followed INEC’s announcement that Nigeria had more than 103 million registered voters.
He said members of the public who visited the commission’s online portal during the announced inspection period could not access the register.
“INEC has announced more than 103 million registered voters. Nigerians went to its portal to inspect the names and found an empty page. That is an outrage. A figure cannot answer an objection. A press announcement cannot tell a voter whether her name has been omitted. Show Nigerians the register,” he said.
Atiku urged the commission to clarify the dates and arrangements for the exercise, citing an alleged statement by the INEC chairman on October 5 that the public display had already been completed.
“Nigerians were subsequently told it would take place from October 9 to 15. Which statement is true? Where was the register published? For seven full days, or for no days at all? INEC must produce the dates, the links and the records of access,” he said.
He called on INEC to publish the register by local government area, area council and ward, saying voters needed adequate time to verify their details and seek corrections where necessary.
“Publish the register by local government, area council and ward. Explain the conflicting dates. Give voters the full opportunity the law provides to challenge false entries and restore omitted names,” he said.
Atiku cited Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which he said requires the display of the register at registration areas and online for public scrutiny.
He also raised concerns about Section 63(2) of the Act, which provides for a ballot paper without the commission’s official mark to be counted if a returning officer is satisfied that it came from a book supplied to the relevant polling unit.
Atiku called on INEC to explain the safeguards for authenticating such ballot papers and enabling political parties to challenge questionable ballots.
“Nigerians cannot be denied access to the voters’ register before election day and then be asked to accept unmarked ballot papers after voting. INEC must set out enforceable safeguards against counterfeit ballots, and the National Assembly must close any loophole that leaves the authenticity of a vote to an officer’s unsupported assurance,” he said.
The former vice-president also urged the commission to provide information about companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials, saying inquiries about their identities had yet to receive a response.
He called on international partners, election observers and democratic institutions to urge INEC to make the register accessible before election day.
“Transparency before the vote is as essential as scrutiny of the results afterward,” Atiku said.
He added, “The right to vote begins with the right to know that your name is on the list. INEC must stop hiding behind a blank screen. Publish the register. Open it to scrutiny. Answer the country.”
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, announced on October 5 that the national voters’ register had exceeded 103 million following the completion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and biometric cleanup.
The commission had announced October 9 to 15 as the period for displaying the preliminary register for claims and objections, ahead of the 2027 general election.