INEC Flags Fake Online Voter Registration Site Claiming New 2026 Dates Amid PVC Collection Push

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics
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Abuja, Nigeriaβ€”October 3, 2026β€”The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a strong public warning against a fraudulent website circulating online that falsely claims the Commission has reopened nationwide online voter registration from 28 September to 27 October 2026.

In an official notice posted on its verified X account Saturday morning, INEC stated that the site has no affiliation with the Commission and warned Nigerians not to click the link or submit any personal information. Doing so, the electoral body cautioned, could expose citizens to the risk of having their sensitive data harvested or misused.

Registration Closed Months Ago

INEC clarified that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise officially ended on 26 July 2026. Any suggestion that a new nationwide online registration window is currently open is false.

The Commission stressed that the only reliable sources of electoral information remain its official website, verified social media handles, and designated contact channels.

The fake portal, which mimics INEC branding and features images of young voters holding Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), promotes β€œfree PVC delivery” and invites users to update details, transfer registrations, or replace damaged cardsβ€”services the real Commission does not offer through third-party or unauthorized links.

PVC Collection Begins October 9

The warning comes just days before the scheduled start of nationwide collection of newly printed Permanent Voter Cards.

INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan announced that collection will commence on 9 October 2026 following the three-phase CVR exercise that recorded more than 10.7 million new registrations.

Officials have urged eligible voters to collect their cards promptly and called on traditional rulers and community leaders to mobilize citizens, particularly in rural areas, to avoid last-minute bottlenecks ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Official Channels for Verification

INEC listed the following authentic contact points for the public:

- Call Centre: 0700-CALL-INEC (0700-2255-4632)

- Short Code: 4632

- Phone lines: 090844444333 | 09050858629

- Email: iccc@inec.gov.ng

- Official website and news portal

The Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of the voter register and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against misinformation and online scams as preparations for the 2027 polls intensify.

Citizens are advised to disregard the fraudulent website completely and rely solely on information issued through INEC’s verified platforms.

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