BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed December 15, 2026, for the publication of Nigeria’s final voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections, as it moves to address concerns over suspected AI-generated photographs appearing in the preliminary register.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during the Commission’s South-South Zonal Interactive Meeting with staff in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he assured Nigerians that reported irregularities in the voter registration records were receiving attention.

Amupitan said the Commission was reviewing complaints about the authenticity of some photographs uploaded to its preliminary voters’ register, adding that appropriate corrective measures would be taken after examining the records and establishing the facts.

The controversy has raised questions about the credibility of some entries in the register, prompting calls for INEC to ensure that questionable records are identified and corrected before the final document is released.

The INEC chairman urged Nigerians, particularly registered voters, to take advantage of the ongoing public display, claims and objections exercise to examine the preliminary register and report suspected errors, omissions or other irregularities.

He stressed that public involvement was essential to producing an accurate and credible voters’ register, warning that the responsibility of identifying mistakes should not be left entirely to the Commission.

According to Amupitan, the South-South geopolitical zone currently has 15,823,550 registered voters, with Rivers State alone accounting for 3,736,434.

He assured eligible Nigerians that INEC would not allow administrative shortcomings or logistical challenges to prevent qualified voters from exercising their franchise during the 2027 elections.

On preparations for the forthcoming polls, the chairman disclosed that the Commission was strengthening its technological infrastructure, including plans to deploy 57,000 newly acquired Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices.

He also said INEC was conducting an audit of its electronic result management systems to improve transparency and strengthen the process of transmitting election results through its INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

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Amupitan identified the difficult geographical terrain of the South-South, particularly its riverine communities, coastal settlements and extensive creeks, as one of the major challenges confronting election logistics in the region.

To address the problem, he said the Commission had concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maritime Transporters Union to ensure the safe and timely movement of electoral personnel and materials to communities that are difficult to reach by road.

On election security, the INEC chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s partnership with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), stressing the importance of intelligence gathering and coordinated security arrangements before, during and after elections.

He warned that individuals who attack or threaten electoral officials, including National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed for election duties, would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The chairman also issued a warning to INEC personnel against political bias, negligence, absenteeism and financial misconduct, insisting that officers found engaging in such practices would face disciplinary measures.

He said the Commission was assessing its preparedness through field engagements and reviews of previous electoral exercises, including the recent governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, FCT Area Council elections and 16 by-elections.

Beyond election preparations, Amupitan highlighted efforts to improve staff welfare through the introduction of the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS), alongside improved salaries, hazard allowances and field allowances.

He further disclosed that INEC had increased monthly overhead allocations to its state offices by 150 per cent, with the new arrangement taking effect from July 1, 2026.

The Commission said the measures were part of efforts to strengthen its operations and ensure effective delivery of its responsibilities ahead of the 2027 general elections.