The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed recent allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which questioned the authenticity and statistical plausibility of the voter registration figures reported from Osun State during the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The controversy centers on INEC’s release showing that Osun State recorded nearly 400,000 online pre-registrations within just one week—a figure the ADC called into question for being inconsistent with historical voting patterns and demographic realities.
In response to these allegations, INEC clarified through a statement by Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, that the numbers are accurate and align with previous registration trends. The commission highlighted that Osun has consistently exhibited high voter engagement, leading all other states in online pre-registrations during former CVR exercises. For instance, in the 2021 online registration exercise, Osun demonstrated a similar surge, where it progressively led with 154,893 pre-registrations in the second week and ultimately totaled over 700,000 by April 2022. INEC stressed that comparisons with historical data would have revealed the consistency of the current figures.
The commission also emphasized that the online pre-registration is merely the initial stage of the registration process. The actual registration is completed with biometric capture at designated centers, a procedure that is mandatory to validate the registrant’s identity and prevent fraudulent registrations. INEC has maintained transparency by publishing regular updates throughout previous registration exercises, including public displays of voter registers for claims and objections. Their biometric identification system is robust and designed to isolate double registrations.
The ADC's concern that the Osun figure—393,269 pre-registrations in one week—was unusually high compared to the entire four-year electoral cycle registration figures was labeled by INEC as misunderstandings of both the demographic data and the registration process. The commission noted that voter enthusiasm in Osun has historically been strong, as observed in high turnout rates in the 2022 governorship and 2023 general elections. The commission also stated that the ongoing CVR exercise conforms strictly to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and international best practices.
Finally, INEC urged the public and political parties to avoid conjecture based on incomplete information and to rely on official data that the commission continues to publish. The commission reassured Nigerians of its commitment to transparency, inclusiveness, and the integrity of the electoral process as preparations for future elections progress.