By Musa Baba Adamu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stepped up preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the commission announcing that Nigeria’s voter register has risen to more than 103 million, while also reviewing the implications of a recent Supreme Court judgment on party nominations.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the developments on Tuesday in Abuja during the commission’s World Press Conference and National Stakeholders Meeting, held as part of activities marking 100 days to the general elections.
According to the commission, the national register now stands at about 103 million following the completion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and biometric verification. The CVR produced 10,772,421 new registrations.
Lagos has the highest number of registered voters, followed by Kano and Kaduna. Other states among those with the largest voter populations include Katsina, Rivers, Oyo, Delta, Benue, Ogun and Bauchi.
The commission said the nationwide display of the voters’ register is scheduled to begin on October 9, while collection of newly produced Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will also commence the same day.
Amupitan also disclosed that INEC had commenced a review of the Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment restoring disputed provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
The judgment upheld Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Act, which concern political-party membership registers and methods of nominating candidates. The apex court’s decision overturned an earlier Court of Appeal judgment that had voided the provisions.
Amupitan said INEC had received complaints from political parties, aggrieved aspirants and members of the National Assembly over the possible implications of the judgment for some candidates ahead of the elections.
He said the commission received the certified true copy of the judgment on Tuesday and was studying it before taking further decisions.
The issue has generated attention around the candidacies of several politicians who moved to new political parties after nomination processes had already been conducted or commenced, including Rivers governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda, Delta Central senatorial candidate Ovie Omo-Agege, former Cross River governor Donald Duke and former Delta State House of Assembly Speaker Victor Ochei.
Beyond the legal issues, the commission said logistical preparations for the 2027 polls were progressing.
Amupitan disclosed that some states had already begun receiving non-sensitive electoral materials, while procurement for ballot papers and result sheets was nearing completion.
He said production of 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices was advanced, while delivery of new operational vehicles, construction of dedicated BVAS storage facilities and renovation of INEC offices across the country were ongoing.
The commission has also continued upgrading its technological infrastructure, including systems for electronic result management and cybersecurity.
The INEC chairman further cautioned media organizations against announcing election results based on privately collated figures.
He urged journalists to establish fact-checking desks, employ digital forensic tools and verify election-related information with INEC before publication.
Amupitan stressed that the legal authority to declare results in national elections rests with the commission, urging the media to prioritise accuracy and verification during the 2027 polls.
Amupitan assured Nigerians and the international community of INEC’s commitment to neutrality and the integrity of the electoral process.
He said the commission would continue working with political parties, security agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, the media and other stakeholders to deliver the elections.
“Until the deed is done after the general elections, we can’t rest on our oars,” the INEC chairman said.
The commission’s preparations come as the 2027 elections move into a more intensive phase, with millions of voters expected to participate in the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly contests.
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