Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish its preliminary voters’ register online, alleging that Nigerians were unable to access it during the scheduled period for public scrutiny ahead of the 2027 general election.

Atiku said the reported absence of the register from INEC’s online portal during the October 9–15 inspection period had prevented voters from verifying their details, identifying omissions and challenging questionable entries.

Nigeria’s voters’ register has risen to more than 103 million, according to INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, following the completion of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise and biometric checks.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku called for the immediate publication of the register and an explanation of when and where it was made available.

“INEC has announced more than 103 million registered voters. Nigerians went to its portal to inspect the names and found an empty page,” Atiku said, according to the statement.

He argued that announcing the total number of registered voters was insufficient without providing access to the names and details that make up the register.

The former vice-president also questioned what he described as conflicting accounts of the inspection exercise. He cited reports that INEC’s chairman had said on October 5 that the exercise was completed, while the commission subsequently indicated that the register would be available for public scrutiny from October 9 to 15.

Atiku asked the commission to provide the dates and links showing when the register was published, as well as records demonstrating that the public had access to it.

The demand follows reports by Premium Times that the preliminary register was not available on INEC’s website when the newspaper checked on October 21. The publication also reported that the portal continued to display a message indicating that no preliminary register was available.

However, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, told Premium Times that the register had been displayed at registration areas across the country between October 9 and 15.

Haruna said the commission was compiling claims and objections received during the exercise to produce a clean register for publication by December 15. The newspaper said he had yet to respond to a follow-up question about the online publication requirement.

Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires INEC to make the voters’ register available for public scrutiny at registration areas and on its official website or another website established for that purpose.

The exercise allows registered voters to check their details and raise objections or request corrections before the register is finalised.

Atiku maintained that INEC should clarify the circumstances surrounding the online access issue and ensure Nigerians can inspect the register in accordance with the law.

The controversy comes as preparations continue for the 2027 general election, with the credibility of the voters’ register remaining a key issue in efforts to ensure transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.