INEC Removes 1.6 Million Invalid Voter Records Ahead Of December Publication
10th November, 2026 | News
INEC Removes 1.6 Million Invalid Registrations and Deceased Voters From Preliminary Register
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the removal of 1,609,553 invalid registrations and verified deceased voters from the preliminary register ahead of the final publication scheduled for December 15, 2026.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, INEC official Joash Amupitan (SAN) disclosed that the total figure comprises 1,608,660 confirmed invalid registrations from the 2025/2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and 873 verified deceased voters removed as a separate category.
According to Amupitan, the commission harvested over 11 million records across three phases of the recent CVR exercise. Using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) alongside public claims and objections submitted during the October display period, millions of flagged anomalies went through thorough adjudication and screening.
Addressing Irregularities and Staff Complicity
Amupitan revealed that technical evaluations uncovered instances where some registration personnel deliberately bypassed procedures or misused provisions designed for exceptional cases, such as persons with disabilities.
Consequently, 54 personnel across 10 states have been identified as complicit, with the commission promising disciplinary action and possible prosecution.
Addressing public concerns regarding social media reports of strange names and duplicates, INEC noted that most stem from the historical 2011–2023 register rather than the recent CVR. The commission also clarified that many complaints about omitted names originated from voters who attempted to re-register upon relocating rather than following proper transfer procedures, advising affected individuals to check their previous voting locations.
PVC Distribution and 2027 General Elections Preparation
INEC confirmed that the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for Phases 1 and 2—as well as transferred PVCs—is ongoing at Local Government Areas, while Phase 3 cards will be dispatched to states following overseas production. Distribution will return to Registration Areas nationwide starting December 1, 2026.
Reassuring the public of the integrity of the upcoming elections, Amupitan emphasized that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will prevent multiple voting, requiring every eligible voter to undergo mandatory biometric authentication via fingerprint or facial recognition at their designated polling unit.