Nigerian elections: INEC faces scrutiny over voter trust and low turnout ahead of 2027 polls

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission INEC is under increasing scrutiny regarding its management of voter registration and election processes, leading to a significant decline in voter turnout. The article highlights concerns that INEC's actions, such as suspending continuous voter registration six months before elections, contribute to voter disenfranchisement. For instance, in the FCT Council poll, only 14.2% of registered voters participated, with 86% staying home. Nationwide in 2023, 68 million registered Nigerians did not vote. Issues include the alleged leak of voter data, with an INEC officer reportedly leaking actor Emeka Ike's record, and the lack of arrests or punishment. Polling units are often located far from voters, and PVC collection frequently occurs without proper notification. The article also points out that BVAS failures on election day are often attributed to "network issues." Critics argue that INEC's practices, such as the six-month blackout period for voter registration, contradict the Electoral Act's requirement for continuous registration. The author suggests reforms including continuous voter registration until 30 days before polls, prosecuting data leakers, ensuring polling units are within two kilometers of voters, and sending SMS notifications for PVC collection. The piece concludes that INEC's failures in protecting voter access, privacy, and trust are undermining Nigerian democracy.