Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has demanded the immediate publication of the preliminary voters’ register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that the reported lack of online access could undermine public confidence in the 2027 general election.

Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Thursday, October 22, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.

He questioned INEC’s announcement that Nigeria had more than 103 million registered voters, arguing that the figure meant little to voters who could not access the list to verify their details, identify omissions or challenge questionable entries.

According to Atiku, Nigerians who attempted to inspect the register through the commission’s online portal during the scheduled public scrutiny exercise were unable to access the list.

“A figure cannot answer an objection,” he said, insisting that voters must be given the opportunity to confirm their registration details before the election.

INEC had announced a public display exercise for the preliminary register in October. However, reports differed on whether the scheduled period ran from October 9 to 15 or October 9 to 16.

Atiku alleged that the commission failed to make the register available online during the announced period, despite the requirements he cited under Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026. He urged INEC to publish the list by local government area, area council and ward, allowing voters to check their details and raise objections.

The controversy has also drawn questions about INEC’s compliance with the law. While media reports have documented difficulties accessing the online register, INEC has disputed allegations that it violated the law, maintaining that the register was displayed at wards and local government areas.

Atiku also questioned what he described as conflicting statements concerning the timing of the exercise. He alleged that INEC’s chairman had said on October 5 that the public display had been completed, while a subsequent announcement placed the exercise in October 9–15.

He called on the commission to clarify the dates, provide the relevant publication links and release records showing when the register was accessible.

Beyond the voters’ register, Atiku raised concerns about ballot authentication under Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026. He questioned the safeguards for establishing the origin of a ballot paper that lacked INEC’s official mark but was accepted by a returning officer as coming from a book supplied to a polling unit.

He urged INEC to explain how such ballots would be verified and how political parties could challenge disputed papers. He also called on the National Assembly to address any loopholes that could weaken safeguards against electoral fraud.

The statement further alleged that INEC had yet to respond to inquiries about the companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials.

Atiku maintained that political parties and candidates had a right to seek information about the procedures that would determine the credibility of the 2027 election. He warned that denying Nigerians access to the register would deepen public distrust and said the party would challenge any denial of the right to inspect it through lawful means.

He also called on international partners, election observers and democratic institutions to press INEC to provide access to the register before election day.

Atiku said transparency in voter registration and ballot authentication was essential to public confidence in the electoral process.