Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faces scrutiny over whether voters could see the preliminary register online during its public review, after reports of an empty portal raised questions about access ahead of the 2027 elections.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan announced that the preliminary register would be open for claims and objections from Oct. 9-15, Voice of Nigeria reported. The commission’s current calendar sets the presidential and National Assembly elections for Jan. 16, 2027. The 90-day mark before that vote fell on Oct. 18.
Section 19(1) of Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2026 requires INEC to set a seven-day period for public scrutiny no later than 90 days before a general election. It also requires copies of the register to be available at registration areas and online. Under Section 19(2), the commission has 14 days after display or publication to consider claims, objections and corrections.
Arise News reported that a check on Oct. 13 found no preliminary register on the portal. FIJ reported the page was blank on Oct. 18, and Premium Times said its Oct. 21 check also found no register. The Oct. 21 finding continues EconoTimes’ earlier coverage of the missing register.
The Oct. 18 and Oct. 21 checks came after the scheduled review ended, so they do not establish what the portal showed throughout Oct. 9-15. Arise News’ Oct. 13 check was made during that period. FIJ reported that a lack of online access could make it harder for people who cannot readily travel to a registration area to inspect the roll.
INEC spokesperson Mohammed Haruna told Premium Times that the register was displayed at local registration areas from Oct. 9-15 and that the commission was compiling claims and objections for a clean copy before Dec. 15. The outlet said Haruna did not answer a follow-up question about the website requirement.
