INEC Probes Alleged Unauthorised Access to Voter Registration Database

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched an investigation into allegations that information was improperly accessed from its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database and later disclosed in connection with a candidate who participated in a recent political party primary election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a statement posted on its official X account on Tuesday, the commission said it became aware of reports circulating on social media and in sections of the media alleging that data had been retrieved from its voter registration database without proper authorisation. INEC said it immediately commenced an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to the commission, officials involved in the ongoing nationwide voter registration exercise are granted limited access to specific sections of the CVR system to carry out tasks such as registering new voters, processing transfers, and updating voter information. It stressed that such access is strictly regulated and automatically withdrawn at the end of the exercise.

INEC disclosed that preliminary findings from its audit trail have already identified the user account through which the information was accessed. The commission said relevant personnel have been questioned and that departments connected to the matter are cooperating fully with investigators as efforts continue to establish individual responsibility and determine whether any internal procedures were breached.

The electoral body, however, maintained that there is no evidence suggesting that its systems were hacked or compromised by external actors. According to INEC, the information was accessed using valid credentials assigned to personnel participating in the voter registration exercise but was subsequently released without authorisation. It also clarified that the incident involved a specific voter record and does not indicate any wider compromise of its database containing information on more than 90 million registered voters.

Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding voter data, INEC said it takes the confidentiality, integrity, and security of personal information seriously. The commission also revealed that the Department of State Services (DSS) has commenced a separate investigation into the matter. It pledged full cooperation with security agencies and vowed to pursue appropriate legal action against anyone found culpable, while urging the public to avoid speculation until the investigations are concluded and the findings made public.


Elijah Adeyemi