2027: INEC Probes 54 Persons Across 10 States Over Voter Registration Irregularities

• INEC has identified 54 persons across 10 states for investigation over voter registration irregularities, warning of possible prosecution as it removes more than 1.6 million records.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has identified 54 persons across 10 states for investigation over alleged voter registration irregularities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed the development during a press conference in Abuja on Monday, November 9, while explaining the outcome of the commission’s review of the preliminary voters’ register.

He said those found responsible for manipulating registration procedures could face disciplinary action, including possible prosecution.

The investigation followed complaints about questionable entries in the register, which was displayed at registration areas between October 9 and 15 before being published online.

According to the commission, its technical assessment uncovered instances in which registration personnel allegedly bypassed established procedures. These included the misuse of exceptions intended to assist people with disabilities.

The findings have placed the conduct of personnel involved in the registration exercise under scrutiny as INEC prepares the final register for the elections.

Separately, Amupitan announced the removal of 1,608,660 invalid registrations recorded during the 2025/2026 Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

Another 873 records belonging to verified deceased voters were deleted, bringing the combined total to 1,609,553 records.

The chairman explained that the removals followed biometric screening, public objections and further examination of flagged entries.

However, not every registration initially questioned was rejected. Of 268,000 cases subjected to additional adjudication, 217,722 were confirmed invalid, while 50,278 were cleared and retained.

INEC said the cleaning exercise for the latest registration cycle had been concluded, although final reconciliation and quality checks remained ahead of the planned publication of the final register on December 15, 2026.

Amupitan also addressed concerns that multiple registrations could enable individuals to vote more than once, saying the commission had additional safeguards against electoral fraud on election day.

He maintained that the review was intended to protect the register’s integrity while ensuring that eligible Nigerians were not wrongly excluded from voting.

The identification of the 54 persons represents an investigative and disciplinary process. Any prosecution would depend on the findings concerning their alleged involvement.