Former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commissioner Festus Okoye has urged the body to use the existing voters’ register for the 2027 elections, even though the register’s credibility has been questioned.
Okoye’s call comes amid growing concerns that the current voter list contains outdated names, duplicate entries and other inaccuracies that could affect the integrity of the upcoming polls.
The 2027 general election will be the next major electoral exercise in Nigeria, the continent’s most populous country, where INEC is tasked with ensuring a free, fair and transparent process.
In his statement, Okoye argued that relying on the current register would prevent delays and confusion that could arise from compiling a new list, a process that could take months and strain the commission’s resources.
Critics, however, maintain that the existing register’s flaws could disenfranchise voters and undermine public confidence in the electoral outcome. INEC has been working to update the list, but the pace of corrections remains a point of contention.
The Punch Nigeria report highlights Okoye’s position and the broader debate over voter registration as the 2027 elections approach.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>