By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that Nigeria’s national register of voters has exceeded 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday at a strategic workshop for editors organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with the electoral commission in Abuja.
According to Amupitan, the latest figure followed the completion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and the final biometric verification of newly registered voters.
He said the CVR exercise generated 10,772,421 new registrations, which were subjected to verification through the Automated Biometric Identification System.
“Following the conclusion of our three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which captured over 10.6 million new applicants, and the completion of the public display of the preliminary register for claims and objections, our Voter Register Department has completed the final Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) cleanup.
Nigeria’s National Register of Voters is now over 103 million,” he declared.
The latest figure represents a rise from the more than 93 million voters previously recorded by the commission.
In August, INEC had projected that the register would cross the 100 million mark after the completion of the CVR exercise.
The commission had also said in September that the register was “approaching the 100 million mark” following the addition of 10,772,421 new registrations subject to biometric verification.
PVC Collection Begins October 9
Amupitan announced that nationwide collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards will begin on Friday, October 9, 2026.
He said the commission had completed the processing and distribution of the first batch of PVCs to local government centres ahead of the exercise.
The INEC chairman called on the media to provide citizens with accurate information about collection centres and encourage eligible voters to collect their cards.
INEC Acquires 57,000 New BVAS Devices
The commission is also strengthening its technological infrastructure ahead of the 2027 elections.
Amupitan disclosed that INEC had acquired 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices.
He said the devices had undergone software hardening, battery optimisation and biometric calibration to strengthen accreditation and prevent manipulation.
“We have instituted hardware, software, and cybersecurity enhancements across our technological architecture. We have acquired 57,000 new BVAS for optimal performance.
“The devices have undergone extensive software hardening, battery optimisation, and biometric calibration to prevent accreditation bypass and eliminate manual manipulation,” the INEC chairman stated.
The upgrades are part of preparations for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, as well as the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections fixed for February 6.
