INEC Launches Probe into Alleged Unauthorized Access to Voter Registration Database

The has commenced a full-scale investigation into allegations of unauthorized access to its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database and the alleged disclosure of information relating to a candidate who participated in a recent political party primary election in the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by , the electoral body said it had taken the allegations seriously and immediately initiated a comprehensive review to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to the Commission, registration officers participating in the ongoing nationwide CVR exercise were granted controlled access to specific sections of the voter registration system strictly for official duties, including registering new voters, processing transfer requests, and updating voter records.

INEC disclosed that preliminary findings from its audit trail have enabled investigators to identify the specific user account through which the information was accessed.

The Commission said relevant personnel have been questioned, while departments connected to the matter are cooperating fully with investigators.

“Preliminary findings from the Commission’s audit trail indicate that there was no external breach of the CVR database, no hacking incident, and no unauthorized external access to the Commission’s ICT infrastructure,” the statement said.

Rather, the Commission explained that the information was accessed through valid credentials assigned to personnel engaged in the ongoing voter registration exercise but was subsequently released without authorization.

INEC emphasized that the incident under investigation involved the retrieval of a specific voter record and does not suggest any compromise of its wider voter registration infrastructure or the personal data of more than 90 million registered voters nationwide.

The Commission further stated that it is examining all technical, administrative, and operational factors related to the incident to determine responsibility and identify any violation of internal access-control protocols.

It pledged to take appropriate disciplinary and legal action against any individual found culpable.

INEC also revealed that the has independently commenced an investigation into the matter and assured Nigerians of its full cooperation with security agencies.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting voter information, the Commission said it remains dedicated to transparency, institutional integrity, and the security of citizens’ personal data.

INEC urged members of the public and the media to disregard speculation and await the outcome of ongoing investigations, promising to make its findings public upon conclusion of the probe.