The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct an independent forensic audit of Nigeria’s voters’ register ahead of the 2027 General Elections over allegations of irregularities and possible manipulation.
FENRAD, a human rights and public accountability organisation, expressed concern over reported cases of underage registration, multiple registrations, fictitious voter entries and the possible inclusion of ineligible persons in the electoral database.
In a press release issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the organisation said its concerns followed recent public warnings by Channels Television journalist, Seun Okinbaloye, who reportedly questioned the integrity of the voters’ register during a broadcast of Politics Today.
While noting that the allegations required independent verification and should not be treated as established facts without credible evidence, FENRAD said they were serious enough to warrant immediate attention from INEC, political stakeholders, civil society organisations and the Nigerian public.
The organisation maintained that electoral credibility goes beyond activities at polling stations on election day, stressing that it begins with the integrity of the institutions, processes and databases underpinning the electoral system.
It warned that any established compromise of the voters’ register could undermine equal suffrage, distort electoral representation, weaken public confidence and expose the democratic process to manipulation.
FENRAD identified concerns surrounding the integrity of voter registration, multiple registrations, institutional accountability, transparency, public confidence and the overall credibility of the 2027 electoral process.
To address the concerns, the organisation urged INEC to facilitate a credible, independent and transparent forensic audit of the voters’ register, particularly suspicious entries, duplicate records, underage registrations and potentially fictitious identities.
It also called on the electoral commission to publish comprehensive findings of its verification exercises, including identified irregularities, corrective measures taken and outstanding challenges.
The organisation further urged INEC to strengthen public verification mechanisms by allowing citizens, political parties, accredited election observers and civil society organisations to participate meaningfully in the verification and objection process, subject to privacy and data-protection regulations.
FENRAD also demanded investigations and appropriate legal sanctions against electoral officials or other individuals found to have deliberately manipulated the register or engaged in misconduct.
It cautioned, however, that efforts to clean up the voters’ register must not result in the arbitrary removal of eligible voters, insisting that anyone affected by erroneous exclusions should be given an opportunity for verification and redress.
The organisation also advocated stronger engagement between INEC, credible civil society organisations, professional bodies, election observers and other democratic institutions to promote transparency and accountability.
On the broader implications of electoral credibility, FENRAD said democratic accountability was closely connected to human rights, environmental justice and sustainable development, noting that communities depended on legitimate and responsive institutions to protect their social, economic and environmental interests.
It warned that Nigeria could not afford another cycle of avoidable electoral controversies, insisting that the 2027 General Elections must be underpinned by transparent processes, credible institutions and demonstrable accountability.
FENRAD therefore urged INEC to treat the allegations with urgency and provide Nigerians with verifiable assurances that the voters’ register was accurate, credible and protected against manipulation.
It also called on Nigerians to remain vigilant, exercise their democratic rights responsibly and report credible evidence of electoral irregularities through appropriate lawful channels.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to advocating transparency, institutional accountability, human rights and the protection of democratic values.
