The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says Nigeria’s national voters’ register has risen to over 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this in Abuja at a one-day strategic workshop for editors organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with the commission.
Professor Amupitan said the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise produced 10,772,421 new registrations, following which the commission completed its final Automated Biometric Identification System, ABIS, cleanup.
He said the development brings the national register to over 103 million eligible voters.
The INEC Chairman also announced that nationwide collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs, will commence on Friday, October 9, 2026.
He said the commission had completed the processing and distribution of Phase One PVCs to all local government centres ahead of the commencement of collection.
Professor Amupitan urged the media to educate citizens on the collection process and encourage registered voters to collect their cards promptly.
The INEC Chairman further disclosed that the commission had acquired 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, devices ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, the devices have undergone software hardening, battery optimisation and biometric calibration to strengthen accreditation and prevent manipulation.
The commission also reaffirmed its determination to tackle vote-buying, saying it had strengthened collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, EFCC, ICPC and NFIU to monitor campaign spending and electoral activities.
Professor Amupitan warned political parties and candidates against offering money in exchange for votes, stressing that anyone found engaging in vote-buying will face arrest and prosecution under the Electoral Act 2026.
The 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
