INEC Says Over 100 Million Nigerians Will Register to Vote by 2027

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that Nigeria will have over 100 million registered voters before the 2027 general elections.

INEC’s National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, shared this information on Tuesday in Abuja.

Haruna, who is also the chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), spoke during INEC’s meeting for the Departments of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) and Gender and Inclusivity (G&I) for the 2027 elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the meeting aimed to create a plan for communication and inclusivity for the 2027 elections. The goal is to ensure that the elections are free, fair, credible, peaceful, and inclusive.

Haruna noted that the previous voter register had over 93 million names. He expects this number to go over 100 million once the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is completed.

He said this would make Nigeria the largest electoral democracy in Africa.

With 151 days left to the first phase of the general elections, Haruna told INEC information officers to effectively inform and mobilise all eligible citizens.

“Our job is to give the widest and most effective publicity to all five sets of elections to mobilise all Nigerians of voting age to choose their leaders. This job is at once simple and complex,” he said.

Haruna explained that managing communication for over 100 million voters needs high professional standards. He urged information officers to learn the necessary skills and understand legal frameworks.

“First, we must have a grasp of the language we wish to communicate in and do so with the simplest words and in the most civil manner. Second, we must be knowledgeable about our country’s Constitution, the Electoral Law, and the Commission’s Guidelines.

“We must also be well-informed on other relevant legislation like the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Acts,” he added.

He mentioned that building on the success of recent elections, including in Osun, would need more effort to ensure the freest and most credible general elections in Nigeria’s history.

Adedayo Oketola, the chief press secretary to the INEC Chairman, also spoke. He highlighted the commission’s commitment, under Joash Amupitan, to credible and inclusive elections and to follow the meeting’s outcomes.

Oketola called the joint meeting timely and necessary for creating a clear plan for communication and inclusivity.

He said that while technology and logistics are important for running elections, the two departments are the human face and voice of INEC.

“You build public trust, simplify complex procedures, and ensure that no eligible citizen is left behind,” Oketola said.

He warned that the communication landscape leading to 2027 has challenges, including misinformation that could hurt voter confidence and cause apathy.

“The antidote to disinformation is proactive, factual, and continuous public engagement. Our messaging must move beyond traditional announcement-style publicity into aggressive, daily civic education that demystifies our technology, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Results Viewing (IReV), and reinforces the integrity of the open secret ballot system,” Oketola explained.

On gender and inclusivity, he stressed that electoral access for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), women, youths, and elderly voters is a constitutional right.

“From the deployment of Braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses to prioritising vulnerable queues and expanding youth participation through CVR, the 2027 elections must set a new benchmark for electoral access in Nigeria,” Oketola said.

Victoria Eta-Messi, the Director of VEP, stated that INEC’s ability to reach grassroots voters relies on the heads of departments. She also mentioned that VEP is expected to lead the programs in their states.

Eta-Messi said the meeting provided clarity and direction to ensure everyone knows their tasks.

“The off-cycle governorship elections are done, and now we focus on the 2027 general election. This meeting is crucial and sets the tone for what is coming. It will allow both departments to explain the commission’s approved activities, highlight strategies for implementation, and ensure that everyone understands the timelines and expectations.

The meeting included heads of departments of VEP and G&I from all 36 states and the FCT.