Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has demanded the immediate publication of the preliminary voters’ register by the Independent National Electoral Commission, warning that failure to make the document available for public scrutiny could undermine confidence in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, questioned why the register was reportedly inaccessible on INEC’s online portal during the announced October 9 to 15 inspection period.
The former vice-president said the commission’s announcement that Nigeria had more than 103 million registered voters was insufficient without making the list available for citizens to verify their details and identify possible irregularities.
“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 also questioned the commission’s handling of the inspection exercise, citing an alleged discrepancy between a reported statement by the INEC chairman on October 5 that the public display had been completed and the subsequent announcement of October 9 to 15 as the period for scrutiny.
He urged the electoral body to clarify the conflicting dates and provide evidence of when and where the register was displayed, insisting that voters must be given the opportunity to challenge incorrect entries and correct omissions.
The ADC chieftain further raised concerns about Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which, according to the statement, permits a returning officer to count a ballot paper without INEC’s official mark if satisfied that it came from a book supplied to the polling unit.
Atiku called on INEC to establish clear safeguards for authenticating ballot papers and preventing counterfeiting, while urging the National Assembly to address any loopholes that could compromise the integrity of votes.
“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 alleged that INEC had yet to respond to inquiries concerning the identities of companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials, arguing that the issue further underscored the need for transparency in preparations for the poll.
Addressing President Bola Tinubu, Atiku said the economic hardship and security challenges confronting Nigerians made it imperative for the government and electoral authorities to ensure that the 2027 election was conducted in a transparent and credible manner.
“You cannot hide their names from scrutiny and then ask them to trust the election conducted with that list. Nigerians have the right to inspect the register, challenge false entries and correct omissions. If that right is denied, we will challenge it in the open and through every lawful means available,” he said.
Atiku urged INEC to publish the register according to local government areas, area councils and wards, explain the conflicting dates surrounding its display, and provide adequate time for eligible voters to report errors.
He also called on international partners, election observers and democratic institutions to pressure the commission to comply with the law, warning that concerns over the credibility of the election should be addressed before voting begins rather than after the results are announced.
“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,” Atiku added.
