Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its handling of the publication of the voters’ register.
Ibe raised concerns about the electoral commission’s compliance with legal requirements for displaying and publishing the register, warning that its actions could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Ibe questioned why INEC should expect understanding when political parties and candidates risk exclusion for failing to meet electoral deadlines.
“When parties or candidates miss electoral deadlines, they risk exclusion. Why should @inecnigeria expect indulgence when it fails to meet its own legal obligations?” he wrote.
Ibe Cites Electoral Act 2026
The ADC chieftain cited Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which he said requires the physical display and online publication of the voters’ register for public scrutiny within the stipulated 90-day timeline.
According to Ibe, displaying the register physically without publishing it online would not satisfy both requirements.
“Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires physical display and online publication of the voters’ register for public scrutiny within the stipulated 90-day timeline. Physical display alone does not satisfy both requirements,” he stated.
Ibe Questions INEC’s Explanation
Ibe also faulted INEC’s explanation that it was preparing a clean voters’ register for December, asking the commission to clarify when and where the register had been published online.
He argued that completing most of its scheduled activities would not excuse the commission from complying with statutory requirements.
“INEC’s explanation that it is preparing a clean register for December does not answer the question: where was the register published online, and when? Completing nine of 14 scheduled activities cannot excuse failure to comply with a statutory requirement,” Ibe said.
INEC’s Compliance and Public Confidence
The former vice-president’s media adviser warned that INEC’s inability to demonstrate compliance with electoral law could raise questions about its commitment to conducting credible elections.
He maintained that publishing the voters’ register online before voting begins is an important requirement for public scrutiny and transparency.
Ibe questioned how Nigerians could trust the commission’s promise to conduct free, fair and credible elections if it could not demonstrate that it had complied with the law.
“If INEC cannot demonstrate obedience to electoral law by publishing the voters’ register online before voting begins, what confidence should Nigerians place in its promise of free, fair and credible elections?” he asked.
His criticism centres on the need for electoral transparency, compliance with statutory deadlines and public access to the voters’ register ahead of elections.