The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed 1,608,660 invalid voter registrations and 873 records belonging to verified deceased persons from its preliminary voters’ register ahead of the publication of the final register on December 15, 2026.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while providing an update on the commission’s ongoing clean-up of the preliminary voters’ register.
Amupitan explained that the exercise was designed to improve the accuracy, credibility and reliability of the national voters’ database ahead of future elections, including the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the commission identified the invalid registrations and records of deceased persons following a review process that considered complaints, objections and claims submitted by members of the public during the display of the preliminary voters’ register.
The public display exercise, which took place between October 9 and 15, provided an opportunity for registered voters and other stakeholders to examine the preliminary register and draw the commission’s attention to errors, irregularities and questionable entries.
The INEC chairman said the commission carefully examined the submissions received during the period before proceeding with the removal of records that failed to meet the requirements for inclusion in the voters’ database.
The removal of the 1,608,660 invalid registrations represents a significant part of the commission’s efforts to eliminate multiple, incomplete and otherwise irregular entries that could undermine the integrity of the electoral register.
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The additional removal of 873 records belonging to verified deceased persons is also expected to strengthen the accuracy of the database and prevent the continued retention of records that should no longer form part of the active voters’ register.
INEC’s clean-up exercise comes as preparations gradually intensify for the 2027 general elections, with the credibility of the voters’ register remaining a major factor in ensuring transparent and credible electoral processes.
The commission has repeatedly emphasised the importance of maintaining an accurate register to support effective election planning, voter accreditation and the overall administration of elections across the country.
With the preliminary register undergoing further verification and corrections, INEC is expected to publish the final voters’ register on December 15, 2026.
The exercise is part of broader efforts to strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system and ensure that only eligible and properly registered citizens are captured in the country’s official voters’ database.
