2027: Atiku Raises Alarm Over ‘Missing’ Voters’ Register

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised alarm over the alleged failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the preliminary voters’ register for public inspection, warning that the development could erode confidence in the 2027 general elections.

Atiku said INEC’s claim that over 103 million voters have been registered cannot be verified by Nigerians because the register was allegedly unavailable on its portal during the October 9 to 15 display period.

In a statement on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku demanded immediate publication of the register.

“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 said.

He also flagged conflicting information on the display exercise, noting that INEC’s Chairman reportedly said on October 5 that the display had been completed, while the Commission later announced October 9 to 15 as the inspection window.

“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 queried.

The former Vice President further expressed concern over Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which allows a returning officer to count a ballot paper without INEC’s official mark if satisfied it came from a book supplied to the polling unit. He said the provision requires enforceable safeguards to prevent counterfeit ballots.

“Nigerians cannot be denied access to the voters’ register before election day and then be asked to accept unmarked ballot papers after voting. INEC must set out enforceable safeguards against counterfeit ballots, and the National Assembly must close any loophole that leaves the authenticity of a vote to an officer’s unsupported assurance,” he said.

The ADC Campaign Council also questioned INEC’s silence on companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials, describing it as a transparency concern.

Linking the issue to current economic hardship and insecurity, Atiku urged President Bola Tinubu not to compound Nigerians’ suffering with an opaque electoral process.

“You will not add an unseen voters’ register to their suffering and call it a route to another four years in office,” he said.

He warned that without access to the register, voters cannot ascertain who was added, whose name was removed, or whether their own details are intact, adding that the ADC would challenge any denial of voters’ rights through lawful means.

Atiku called on INEC to publish the register by Local Government, Area Council and Ward levels, clarify the conflicting dates, and allow voters to challenge false entries and correct omissions.

He also appealed to international partners, election observers and democratic institutions to mount pressure on INEC to comply with the law ahead of the election.

“Do not wait until election day to ask whether this contest is credible. Demand access to the voters’ register now. Ask how every ballot paper will be authenticated. Transparency before the vote is as essential as scrutiny of the results afterward,” he added.