INEC debunks claims of inflated ₦1.5bn charge for voters register, polling unit data

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked claims circulating in the media that it arbitrarily fixed the sum of ₦1.5 billion for the release of Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the National Register of Voters and the list of polling units across Nigeria.

In a statement signed by Victoria Eta-Messi, director of Voter Education and Publicity, INEC, it explained that the cost strictly reflects the actual expense of document duplication, as provided for under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011.

The clarification follows public criticism after details emerged that a law firm, Messrs V.C. Ottaokpukpu & Associates, was billed ₦1,505,901,750 for certified copies of the full national voters’ register and polling unit list.

INEC stated that the fee was calculated based on Section 8(1) of the FOI Act, which authorises public institutions to charge the “actual cost of duplication and transcription” for requested documents.

“The Commission received the request on October 8, 2025, and approved it on October 13, 2025, in line with established procedures,” the statement read. “The cost was determined strictly in accordance with law and existing guidelines — no arbitrary or inflated figure was imposed.”

Providing a breakdown, INEC explained that Nigeria’s National Register of Voters currently contains 93,469,008 registered voters, recorded at 16 voters per page, amounting to 6,018,661 pages. The polling unit data, covering 176,848 polling units nationwide, adds another 4,946 pages, bringing the total to 6,023,607 pages.

At the approved rate of ₦250 per page — as specified under the Commission’s Guidelines for Processing and Issuance of CTCs derived from Section 15 of the Electoral Act 2022 — the total cost stands at ₦1,505,901,750.

INEC stressed that the amount only covers the cost of printing and certification and does not include any other administrative or hidden charges.

“The figure represents the exact duplication cost. INEC remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the responsible management of public resources,” the statement concluded.

The Commission’s clarification puts to rest speculations that the electoral body had inflated charges or imposed arbitrary fees on citizens seeking access to public electoral data.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.