By John Dike, Osogbo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked claims by a political party’s spokesperson suggesting that the high number of online voter pre-registrations in Osun State contradicts historical trends and demographic realities.
This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Thursday
He reaffirmed that the voter registration figures for Osun State are consistent with past registration exercises and reflect genuine public interest.
The Commission began its latest online pre-registration exercise on August 18, 2025, followed by in-person registration starting August 25. Within the first week, a total of 1,379,342 Nigerians registered online, with Osun State leading the count at 393,269 pre-registrations. Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory followed with 222,205 and 107,682 registrations, respectively.
According to INEC, these figures align with patterns observed during the first online pre-registration exercise in 2021, when Osun State also led the registrations.
“In June 2021, Osun State maintained the lead throughout the registration period, ultimately registering over 700,000 voters by April 2022,” the statement noted, emphasizing that these figures were publicly available and regularly updated.
INEC reassured the public that all online pre-registrants are required to complete their registration by visiting designated centers for biometric verification, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the process.
The Commission also explained that its sophisticated Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) is employed to detect and eliminate duplicate registrations.
Highlighting its commitment to transparency, INEC pointed out that during the last Continuous Voter Registration exercise, preliminary voter registers were published quarterly to allow for public scrutiny and objections, helping to maintain a credible voter roll.
The Commission urged the public and political actors to base their discussions on verified data rather than speculation, emphasizing its dedication to registering only eligible Nigerian citizens in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions.
The Commission however pledged to continue providing timely updates on the ongoing registration process, aiming to strengthen public trust in the electoral system.
