INEC Completes Nine of 14 Election Preparations, Plans to Remove 1.5 Million Irregular Registrants

Nigeria’s Election Countdown

INEC reported on 4 November 2026 that nine out of the fourteen tasks in its updated schedule for the 2027 general elections have been completed. The commission also revealed that the National Register of Voters now lists more than 103 million people. Professor Joash Amupitan, the head of INEC, disclosed these developments during a meeting with British High Commissioner Pete Vowles at the organization's Abuja offices.

During the same visit, Amupitan disclosed that INEC will delete about 1.5 million voter registrations identified as irregular. The deletions are part of a broader cleaning exercise that will be completed before the final register is published on 15 December 2026. The chairman also highlighted ongoing operational readiness assessments across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Background

INEC’s 2027 election timetable includes tasks such as nationwide Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection, procurement of 57,000 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, preparation of materials for 176,846 polling units, and improved logistics and security coordination. The commission is also conducting a mock accreditation and election exercise to test BVAS and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) before the polls.

The cleaning of the register follows technology‑enabled verification that isolated irregular entries. The process is part of a comprehensive review that involves the claims and objections procedure. The final register, after the deletions, will be released on 15 December 2026.

Why It Matters

The removal of 1.5 million irregular entries will affect the integrity of the 2027 elections. The commission estimates that young voters aged 18 to 34 make up nearly 29 % of the 103 million registered voters. Ensuring the accuracy of the register is therefore critical to maintaining public confidence. Highlighting the dangers of artificial intelligence abuse and organized digital efforts, the body cautioned that false information and external interference pose significant risks to the credibility of the voting process.

Security remains a priority. To formulate preventative strategies, INEC is collaborating with pertinent organizations to identify regions susceptible to election-related violence and other hazards. Under the guidance of Special Representative Leonardo Santos Simão, the alliance between the commission and the United Nations prioritizes conflict avoidance, securing the vote, early detection systems, engagement with key parties, and fostering peace. The UN will maintain a presence during the elections to encourage positive conduct, though it has no observation mandate.

What Happens Next

INEC will continue its nationwide PVC collection and the deployment of BVAS devices. The commission will also conduct the mock accreditation and election exercise to identify potential challenges and build public confidence. The final voter register, after the 1.5 million deletions, is scheduled for publication on 15 December 2026. Following that, INEC will proceed with the remaining five activities on its timetable, including finalising election materials and logistics for the 176,846 polling units.

The UK has signaled its readiness to partner with INEC in areas such as digital security, staff development, educating voters, public relations, and countering false narratives. The organization's dedication to ensuring the 2027 general election is free, equitable, trustworthy, and inclusive has not wavered.