Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded the rapid publication of the preliminary voters’ register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that its absence from the fee’s on-line portal in the course of the introduced October 9 to fifteen scrutiny interval raises considerations concerning the transparency and credibility of the 2027 normal election.
Atiku’s place was contained in a press release issued on Thursday, October 22, 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.
The former vice chairman questioned INEC’s announcement that Nigeria had greater than 103 million registered voters, arguing that the determine alone was inadequate with out public entry to the register for verification and objections.
“INEC has announced more than 103 million registered voters. Nigerians went to its portal to inspect the names and found an empty page. That is an outrage. A figure cannot answer an objection. A press announcement cannot tell a voter whether her name has been omitted. Show Nigerians the register,” Atiku stated.
He alleged that the fee didn’t make the preliminary register out there on-line in the course of the interval introduced for public scrutiny, regardless of the authorized requirement he cited beneath Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.
Atiku additionally questioned what he described as conflicting statements concerning the timing of the train, alleging that INEC’s chairman had reportedly stated on October 5 that the general public show had already been accomplished, whereas a subsequent announcement positioned the train between October 9 and 15.
He referred to as on the electoral fee to make clear the dates, present the related publication hyperlinks and launch data displaying when the register was accessible to the general public.
“Which statement is true? Where was the register published? For seven full days, or for no days at all? INEC must produce the dates, the links and the records of access,” he stated.
The ADC presidential marketing campaign council director additional raised considerations concerning the authentication of poll papers, referring to Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which he stated permits a returning officer to rely a poll paper with out INEC’s official mark if happy that it originated from a e book provided to the polling unit.
Atiku questioned the safeguards out there to ascertain the origin of such poll papers and stop fraudulent claims, urging INEC to stipulate enforceable measures to guard the integrity of the voting course of.
He additionally referred to as on the National Assembly to deal with any authorized loopholes that would go away the authenticity of a poll paper depending on an officer’s assurance.
The assertion additional alleged that INEC had but to reply to inquiries in regards to the identities of firms awarded contracts to print delicate election supplies.
Atiku maintained that the ADC and its presidential candidate had been entitled to demand transparency from the electoral umpire concerning the procedures and safeguards that may information the 2027 presidential election.
Addressing President Bola Tinubu, the previous vice chairman linked the demand for entry to the voters’ register to broader considerations concerning the financial and safety challenges going through Nigerians.
He argued that voters shouldn’t be anticipated to belief an electoral course of with out first having the chance to confirm their names and problem questionable entries.
“Nigerians have the right to inspect the register, challenge false entries and correct omissions. If that right is denied, we will challenge it in the open and through every lawful means available,” he stated.
Atiku urged INEC to publish the register by native authorities space, space council and ward, clarify the disputed dates and supply voters with a full alternative to problem false entries and restore omitted names.
He additionally referred to as on Nigeria’s worldwide companions, election observers and democratic establishments to press the fee publicly to supply entry to the register forward of the election.
According to him, transparency earlier than election day is crucial to establishing confidence within the voting course of, simply as scrutiny of outcomes is important after voting concludes.
“The right to vote begins with the right to know that your name is on the list. INEC must stop hiding behind a blank screen. Publish the register. Open it to scrutiny. Answer the country,” Atiku stated.
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