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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says Nigeria’s national voter register has surpassed 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a strategic workshop for editors organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with the commission.
Amupitan said the latest figure followed the completion of the three phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and the final cleaning of the voter register using the Automated Biometric Identification System.
10.7 million new registrations
According to the INEC chairman, a total of 10,772,421 new registrations were recorded during the three phases of the exercise.
The first phase started on August 25, 2025, and ended on December 10, 2025, with 2,611,266 registrations.
The second phase, which ran from January 5 to April 17, 2026, recorded 4,121,835 registrations.
The third phase was conducted from May 11 to July 26, 2026, and recorded 3,867,997 registrations.
Amupitan said INEC introduced an online registration portal during the third phase to make registration easier for people who faced challenges with distance and time.
He also said the commission introduced printable Permanent Voter Cards in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026. The move, he said, was aimed at reducing the waiting period for voters to receive their cards.
The commission has also completed the public display of the Preliminary Register for claims and objections as well as the final ABIS cleaning of the register.
I’m“Following the conclusion of our three phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise which captured over 10.6 million new applicants and the completion of the public display of the Preliminary Register for claims and objections, our Voter Register Department has completed the final Automated Biometric Identification System cleanup,” Amupitan said.
“Nigeria’s National Register of Voters is now more than 103 million,” he added.
INEC promises no voter will be disenfranchised
Amupitan said INEC would continue to ensure that eligible voters are not prevented from taking part in elections.
He referred to the recent Osun governorship election, where some Permanent Voter Cards were stolen. He said INEC printed replacement cards and provided downloadable PVCs to affected voters so they could still vote.
“We also implemented the downloadable PVCs, which the electorate used and cast their votes, just to ensure inclusivity and that nobody was disenfranchised,” he said.
PVC collection begins October 9
INEC said nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards will begin on October 9.
The commission urged registered voters to collect their cards ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan said INEC had completed the processing and distribution of Phase 1 PVCs to all local government centres.
He also urged the media to inform voters about the locations where they can collect their cards and encourage them to do so promptly.
INEC warns against fake registration platforms
The latest voter register figure comes as INEC continues efforts to verify voter records and improve the accuracy of its database ahead of the 2027 elections.
In September, INEC said it had integrated the National Identification Number into its voter registration process in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission.
On October 3, the commission also warned Nigerians against a fake online voter registration portal.
INEC stressed that the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise ended on July 26, 2026, and urged Nigerians to ignore unofficial platforms claiming to offer fresh voter registration.
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