The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing criticism from electoral stakeholders and legal practitioners over alleged failure to comply with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly concerning the publication of the preliminary voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The concerns centre on the commission’s failure to publish the preliminary voters’ register on its official website within the statutory deadline, as well as questions surrounding its handling of political party membership records and candidates’ nominations.
Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires INEC to display the preliminary voters’ register at registration areas and publish it on its official website for public scrutiny within the stipulated period.
Although the commission conducted a physical display of the register nationwide between October 9 and 15, it failed to publish the document online by October 18, the deadline ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The development has attracted criticism from stakeholders, who argue that the commission should be accountable for complying with the same electoral laws it enforces against political parties and candidates.
A lawyer, Omale Ajonye, questioned the commission’s alleged failure to meet statutory deadlines while instituting legal proceedings against political parties over similar violations.
He argued that the law should apply equally to both the electoral umpire and political actors, warning that selective enforcement could undermine public confidence in the commission’s neutrality.
Similarly, the former National Secretary of the Yoruba Council of Elders, Dr Kunle Olajide, called for accountability, stressing that INEC’s independence should not exempt it from legal scrutiny.
However, Chairman of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Lanre Suraj, cautioned against blaming the commission for every electoral dispute, noting that political parties and candidates must also be held responsible for complying with electoral regulations.
Meanwhile, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed that the commission had identified approximately 1.5 million questionable entries in the National Register of Voters, out of which more than 1.27 million were confirmed invalid and removed following a technology-driven verification exercise.
He said the register currently contains more than 103 million voters, adding that the commission was reviewing outstanding records through its claims and objections process ahead of the publication of the final register scheduled for December 15, 2026.
Amupitan also disclosed that INEC had completed nine of the 14 activities on its revised timetable for the 2027 elections and procured 57,000 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices to support the exercise.
Stakeholders have called for stronger legislative oversight, independent monitoring and judicial intervention to ensure transparency and accountability in the commission’s activities.
They also urged INEC to provide explanations for alleged lapses and demonstrate consistency in enforcing electoral laws as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.

