ATIKU RAISES ALARM OVER ‘MISSING’ VOTERS’ REGISTER, DEMANDS INEC ACTION

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

The missing voters register alarm was raised in a statement on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council .

THE ALLEGATION

Atiku said Nigerians could not verify the commission’s claim that more than 103 million voters had been registered when the register was reportedly unavailable on its online portal during the October 9 to 15 inspection period.

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“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,” he said.

He also questioned reports that INEC’s chairman had said on October 5 that the public display had already been completed, despite the commission’s subsequent announcement of an October 9 to 15 inspection period.”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 demanded .

THE BALLOT PAPER CONCERN

Atiku further raised concerns over Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which permits a returning officer to count a ballot paper without INEC’s official mark if satisfied that it came from a book supplied to the polling unit.

He argued that the provision required enforceable safeguards to establish the origin of such ballot papers and prevent counterfeit votes.

“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 CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY

Atiku called on INEC to publish the register by local government, area council and ward, explain the conflicting dates and give voters the opportunity to challenge false entries and correct omissions.

He also urged Nigeria’s international partners, election observers and democratic institutions to press the commission to comply with the law before election day.

“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 said .

WHY IT MATTERS

The voters’ register is the foundation of any credible election. If Nigerians cannot verify that their names are on the register, they cannot be confident that their votes will count.

Atiku’s demand for transparency is a direct challenge to INEC’s credibility ahead of the 2027 election.

The commission has not yet responded to his allegations.If the register was indeed unavailable during the inspection period, it raises serious questions about INEC’s preparedness for the election. If it was available and Atiku is mistaken, the commission should provide evidence to that effect.

Either way, the controversy is a warning sign. The 2027 election will be contested in an atmosphere of deep mistrust, and INEC will need to work hard to earn the confidence of Nigerians.

ValidViewNetwork reports that INEC has not responded to Atiku’s statement. The 14-day window for complaints on the governorship list closes on October 24.