The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted allegations made by a political party concerning the validity of online voter pre-registration data, specifically the high figures recorded in Osun State. INEC dismissed these concerns as baseless and stemming from a lack of understanding of historical voter registration patterns. The commission clarified that the current online pre-registration figures are consistent with data from a similar exercise conducted in 2021, where Osun State also exhibited high registration numbers. INEC emphasized its commitment to transparency and adherence to established legal frameworks for voter registration, urging stakeholders to rely on verifiable data rather than speculation.
The controversy arose following the release of online pre-registration data, which showed Osun State leading with the highest number of registrants. A political party questioned the authenticity of these figures, suggesting they defied historical trends and demographic realities. INEC countered this assertion by citing data from the 2021 online pre-registration exercise, which demonstrated a similar pattern with Osun State consistently recording high registration numbers throughout the exercise. This historical context, according to INEC, invalidates the party’s claims and highlights the consistency of voter registration trends in the state.
INEC provided a detailed breakdown of the 2021 online pre-registration figures, showcasing the week-by-week progression of registrations and Osun State’s leading position. Within the first 24 hours of the 2021 portal launch, over 59,000 accounts were created nationwide. By the second week, Osun State had already recorded over 154,000 pre-registrants, a figure that continued to grow over subsequent weeks, reaching over 402,000 by the eleventh week. This trend culminated in Osun State leading all states with over 708,000 completed pre-registrations by April 2022. INEC emphasized that this historical data was publicly available and could have easily been accessed by the concerned political party.
To further underscore its commitment to transparency and data integrity, INEC highlighted its practice of publishing weekly updates throughout the 2021/2022 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The commission also explained that online pre-registration is only the first step in the process, and all applicants are required to physically visit a designated center to complete their registration. During this in-person registration, biometric data is captured to verify identity and prevent double registrations. This mandatory in-person component, coupled with the robust Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), ensures the accuracy and validity of the voter register.
INEC also explained its comprehensive process of verifying the voter register after each quarter of the CVR exercise. The preliminary voter register is displayed publicly for claims and objections, allowing citizens to identify any unqualified individuals. Simultaneously, the ABIS is employed to detect and remove double registrations. This thorough verification process, in conjunction with biometric data capture, significantly reduces the risk of fraudulent registrations. INEC further pointed out that the rigorous voter registration procedures resulted in the addition of over 14 million new voters for the 2019 general elections and over 9.4 million new voters for the 2023 general elections.
In concluding its response, INEC reaffirmed its dedication to conducting free, fair, and credible elections. The commission emphasized that it strictly adheres to the criteria stipulated in the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 when registering voters. While acknowledging that it’s not INEC’s role to speculate on the reasons behind varying registration numbers across states, it reiterated its commitment to ensuring only eligible individuals are registered. INEC appealed to all stakeholders to rely on verified data from official sources rather than engaging in conjecture and spreading misinformation. The commission vowed to continue providing timely updates on the ongoing voter registration process to maintain transparency and public trust.
