INEC risks prosecution for failing to publish voters’ register online – Yiaga Africa
Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, warned that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faces potential criminal liability for failing to publish the national voters' register online as mandated by Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022. Speaking on Channels Television, Itodo emphasized that the law explicitly requires the commission to make the register available for public scrutiny, noting that INEC had fulfilled this requirement during the previous electoral cycle under former Chairman Mahmood Yakubu. He highlighted that the failure to post the register online less than three weeks before the Anambra State governorship election raises serious concerns about legal compliance, distinct from the physical display of registers at polling stations. Itodo stated that non-compliance could result in fines or imprisonment for responsible officials and urged INEC to issue a public explanation to maintain voter confidence. While acknowledging that political parties have received copies of the register, he clarified that this does not satisfy the specific statutory obligation to display it online for public verification.
The Independent National Electoral Commission provisionally cleared two prominent politicians to contest the upcoming general elections, according to information released late Thursday. The commission granted tentative approval to Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate for Gombe State, and Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate for Kano State. This decision follows a commission meeting held Thursday to address complaints from political parties and individuals whose names were excluded from initial candidate lists. Sources indicated that while INEC raised no immediate objections to their candidacies, the final status of both men remains contingent upon the resolution of ongoing legal proceedings. Pantami’s supporters gathered in major areas of Gombe State on Thursday night to celebrate the development. The former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy initially appeared on the provisional list of governorship candidates published on August 29. However, his name was subsequently removed from the final list. Pantami secured the PDP nomination after defecting from the All Progressives Congress on May 19. His rival, Ahmed Mailantarki Mailantarki, challenged the result, leading a Federal High Court in Gombe to nullify the primary and order a new one. Pantami won the subsequent contest. A significant legal obstacle arose following a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24. The ruling restored specific sections of the Electoral Act 2026, including Sections 77(5), (6), (7) and 84(2). These provisions prohibit political parties from fielding candidates whose names were not included in the membership registers submitted to the commission within statutory deadlines. Mohammed Haruna, an INEC National Commissioner, previously stated that some parties might be unable to field candidates due to this ruling. Despite this, the commission rejected a separate petition from Ladi Adebutu, the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State, who sought a review of his exclusion. Separate issues regarding electoral transparency surfaced concerning the preliminary voters’ register. Mohammed Haruna, serving as Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, confirmed on Sunday that the register had been published at the ward level. He acknowledged, however, that the document had not yet been uploaded to the commission’s official website. This admission came amidst growing concern over the accessibility of voter data. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar issued a statement on Thursday urging INEC to immediately publish the register online. Abubakar criticized the commission for failing to make the detailed register accessible during the mandated display period of October 9 to 15, 2026. He noted that despite announcements citing more than 103 million registered voters, citizens visiting the portal encountered an empty page. Abubakar argued that a mere figure does not suffice for verification and demanded that Nigerians be shown the actual register to check for omissions or errors. Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 mandates that copies of the register be available for public scrutiny on the official website and at registration areas for seven days. This requirement allows voters to confirm their details and challenge questionable entries before the register is finalized. The lack of online access has intensified debates about electoral integrity as the 2027 general election approaches.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reportedly granted provisional clearance to two Nigerian politicians, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami and Abdulsalam Gwarzo, to contest the 2027 gubernatorial elections in Gombe and Kano states, respectively. This decision follows a period where Pantami’s name was removed from the final candidate list despite appearing on the provisional roster, while Gwarzo faced similar scrutiny. Sources indicate that the clearances are conditional upon the resolution of ongoing legal challenges, including a recent Supreme Court judgment that reinstated specific sections of the Electoral Act barring candidates not registered in party membership rosters. Although INEC officials did not officially confirm the reports, a source stated that the commission raised no objections to the candidacies during a Thursday meeting addressing party complaints. The development sparked celebrations among Pantami’s supporters in Gombe, highlighting the contentious nature of the electoral process and the impact of judicial rulings on political participation.
Bias read (Center): The article maintains a neutral tone by attributing the information to unnamed sources and noting that INEC officials did not immediately react to inquiries. It presents the procedural history, including the Supreme Court ruling and previous exclusions, without using loaded language or taking a side
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria has clarified that the preliminary voters' register was physically displayed at the ward level but was not uploaded to its official website due to technical delays. INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna stated that while the register was available for local inspection, the digital version remained inaccessible during the statutory display period of October 9 to 15, 2026. This situation sparked criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who argued that the lack of online access prevented citizens from verifying their details or challenging erroneous entries, potentially undermining trust in the upcoming 2027 general elections. Abubakar highlighted that despite INEC announcing over 103 million registered voters, the public found an empty page on the commission's portal. The controversy has drawn attention to Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates that the register be made available for public scrutiny both online and at physical locations for seven days prior to the election.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of a procedural dispute regarding electoral transparency. It quotes INEC officials explaining the situation and provides direct quotes from a prominent opposition figure criticizing the delay. The tone remains factual, citing specific legal provisions and the
Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, warned that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faces potential criminal liability for failing to publish the national voters' register online as mandated by Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022. Speaking on Channels Television, Itodo emphasized that the law explicitly requires the commission to make the register available for public scrutiny, noting that INEC had fulfilled this requirement during the previous electoral cycle under former Chairman Mahmood Yakubu. He highlighted that the failure to post the register online less than three weeks before the Anambra State governorship election raises serious concerns about legal compliance, distinct from the physical display of registers at polling stations. Itodo stated that non-compliance could result in fines or imprisonment for responsible officials and urged INEC to issue a public explanation to maintain voter confidence. While acknowledging that political parties have received copies of the register, he clarified that this does not satisfy the specific statutory obligation to display it online for public verification.
Bias read (Progressive): The article relies exclusively on statements from a civil society organization (Yiaga Africa) known for advocating democratic transparency and accountability, often associated with progressive or reformist movements in Nigeria. The framing emphasizes legal obligations, public rights, and the 'silice
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