INEC defends ₦1.5bn fee on FOI request for Voter Register

By Omeiza Ajayi

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has clarified wherefore it quoted a full sum of ₦1,505,901,750 arsenic the outgo of producing Certified True Copies CTCs of the National Register of Voters and polling units requested by a instrumentality firm, Messrs V.C. Ottaokpukpu & Associates.

In a connection signed by Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, Director of Voter Education and Publicity, connected Thursday, the Commission stressed that the fig strictly represents the “actual outgo of papers duplication and transcription,” successful enactment with the law.

“The Commission received the petition connected 8th October 2025 and responded connected 13th October 2025, approving the exertion portion outlining the outgo for processing and issuance. The sum quoted – 1,505,901,750 Naira – has go a taxable of media attraction and nationalist inquiry”, she stated.

INEC explained that the charges were not arbitrary but calculated according to the Freedom of Information Act.

“The outgo is determined strictly successful enactment with the provisions of Section 8(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, which states that: ‘Where entree to accusation is to beryllium fixed nether this Act, the nationalist instauration whitethorn complaint an magnitude representing the existent outgo of papers duplication and transcription,’” the Commission stated.

It added that the applicable charges besides deduce from the electoral law. “In accordance with INEC Guidelines for the Processing and Issuance of Certified True Copies CTC of Documents, which draws authorization from Section 15 of the Electoral Act 2022, the applicable complaint is 250 Naira per page,” it said.

Providing a elaborate breakdown, INEC disclosed that the National Register of Voters for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory contains 93,469,008 registered voters, with 16 voters listed per page, amounting to 6,018,661 pages. In addition, the petition for existing polling units crossed the country, covering 176,848 polling units, would necessitate different 4,946 pages.

“The full fig of pages to beryllium printed for some requests is truthful 6,023,607, astatine a portion outgo of 250 Naira per page, resulting successful the full sum of 1,505,901,750 Naira,” the Commission explained.

INEC dismissed suggestions that the fig included hidden charges, saying; “The Commission wishes to guarantee the nationalist that this fig reflects lone the existent costs of papers duplication and transcription and does not see immoderate different charges”.

Reaffirming its position, the Commission added that it remains committed to transparency, accountability and the liable absorption of nationalist resources.

The station INEC defends ₦1.5bn interest connected FOI petition for Voter Register appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.