The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made the Preliminary Register of Voters for the 2027 general elections available online following concerns raised by Nigerians and other stakeholders over access to the document.
The register can be accessed through the commission’s online voter register portal, in addition to the physical display previously conducted across the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 26, 2026, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said the decision followed calls for wider public access to the register.
INEC said the physical display took place at Registration Areas nationwide from October 9 to 15, in accordance with Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2026. The exercise allowed registered voters to inspect their particulars and submit claims and objections as provided by law.
The commission said the online publication was intended to complement the physical exercise and improve access to the register.
INEC Sets December 15 Deadline for Final Register
INEC said it was processing claims and objections arising from the display exercise ahead of the certification and publication of the Final Register of Voters scheduled for December 15, 2026.
The preliminary register gives registered voters an opportunity to check whether their details have been correctly recorded and identify possible omissions or errors before the final list is certified.
The online publication follows criticism over the register’s unavailability on INEC’s website during the scheduled physical display period. Premium Times reported on October 21 that the commission had not published the register online by the statutory deadline, prompting questions about compliance with Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2026.
INEC’s decision to make the register accessible online provides an additional means for voters and other stakeholders to examine the document as the commission processes objections ahead of the final publication. Read Premium Times’ report on the online publication and the missed deadline.
More Than 103 Million Registered Voters
Figures published ahead of the 2027 elections put Nigeria’s registered electorate at 103,428,715 across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Bureau Journal’s state-by-state breakdown of registered voters shows that Lagos has the largest number, with 7,488,633, followed by Kano with 6,570,276 and Kaduna with 4,662,640.
The figures represent the potential electorate, but the final register and actual voter participation will depend on the completion of the registration process and turnout during the elections.
What Voters Should Do
Registered voters can visit display.inecnigeria.org to access the preliminary register. They should check their particulars carefully and follow INEC’s official instructions for raising claims or objections.
Voters who identify an omission or incorrect detail should consult the commission’s guidance on the appropriate procedure and applicable deadlines. The online publication is an additional access channel; INEC has said it complements rather than replaces the physical display already conducted.
The Bureau Journal’s guide to the 2027 general elections and electoral reforms provides further background on election preparations and the electoral framework.
INEC Continues Preparations for 2027 Elections
The voter register is one of the key documents used in preparing for an election. Its accuracy and accessibility are important to voters, political parties and other stakeholders seeking to scrutinise the electoral process.
INEC has also been preparing for other operational aspects of the elections. The commission’s plans for technology and human oversight are discussed in The Bureau Journal’s report, INEC Explains Why Accreditation and Collation Won’t Be Fully Automated in 2027.
The commission has separately opened recruitment for election duty personnel. Details of the exercise are available in The Bureau Journal’s report on the INEC recruitment portal for 2027 election ad hoc staff.
INEC said it remained committed to transparency, accountability and implementation of the Electoral Act 2026 as it works towards certifying and publishing the final register on December 15.
Get breaking news and latest updates directly on WhatsApp
