INEC HEADQUARTERS — A comparison of reported 2023 and 2027 voter-registration figures in Obeagu Isu Ward, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has raised questions over unusually large increases in the number of registered voters at some polling units, with one recording a reported rise of nearly 692 per cent.
The figures, circulated by individuals calling for closer scrutiny of the electoral register, show that the ward’s total registered voters allegedly increased from 5,894 in 2023 to 8,118 in 2027 — an addition of 2,224 voters, representing 37.7 per cent growth.
The most striking figures concern Polling Units 010 and 011, where the reported increases are substantially higher than those recorded in most other polling units in the ward.
The development has prompted calls for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to:
- explain the figures,
- publish verifiable polling-unit-level registration data, and,
- investigate any discrepancies before the 2027 general election.
INEC voter register: Obeagu Isu Ward records 37.7% increase as two polling units show extraordinary spikes
A polling-unit comparison in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has raised fresh questions about the accuracy of INEC voter register ahead of the 2027 general election, after two polling units reportedly recorded increases of more than 300 per cent and 690 per cent respectively.
The figures, presented as a comparison between the 2023 register and the preliminary register for the 2027 elections, identify Polling Unit 010 in Obeagu Isu Ward as having increased from 180 registered voters in 2023 to 754 in 2027.
That represents an increase of 574 voters, or approximately 318.9 per cent.
An even larger increase is reported at Polling Unit 011, where the number allegedly rose from 96 to 760 — an addition of 664 voters, representing approximately 691.7 per cent.
The figures have prompted concerns about possible irregularities in the registration process and calls for a wider, nationwide audit of polling-unit-level voter registration data.
However, the reported increases do not, on their own, establish deliberate inflation, electoral fraud or wrongdoing by INEC.
The underlying register entries, polling-unit boundaries and explanations for the changes require independent verification.
Obeagu Isu Ward: 11 polling units compared
The figures attributed to the comparison show the following distribution:
| INEC Polling unit | 2023 | 2027 | Increase | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PU 001 | 350 | 391 | +41 | 11.7% |
| PU 002 | 878 | 931 | +53 | 6.0% |
| PU 003 | 644 | 762 | +118 | 18.3% |
| PU 004 | 750 | 906 | +156 | 20.8% |
| PU 005 | 626 | 750 | +124 | 19.8% |
| PU 006 | 728 | 768 | +40 | 5.5% |
| PU 007 | 961 | 1,192 | +231 | 24.0% |
| PU 008 | 92 | 197 | +105 | 114.1% |
| PU 009 | 589 | 707 | +118 | 20.0% |
| PU 010 | 180 | 754 | +574 | 318.9% |
| PU 011 | 96 | 760 | +664 | 691.7% |
| WARD TOTAL | 5,894 | 8,118 | +2,224 | 37.7% |
The figures indicate that the ward’s registered-voter population allegedly increased by 2,224 over the comparison period.
While several polling units recorded increases ranging from 5.5 to 24 per cent, the reported changes in PU 008, PU 010 and PU 011 stand out.
PU 008 reportedly more than doubled, while PU 010 and PU 011 recorded increases that are substantially higher than those of the other polling units.
These variations warrant investigation to establish whether they resulted from legitimate INEC registration activity or voter transfers.
Also, investigation must establish administrative adjustments, changes in polling-unit arrangements or possible irregularities.
PU 010: From 180 voters to 754
Particular attention has been drawn to PU 010.
The 2023 INEC figures supplied for the polling unit indicate:
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Registered voters: 180
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Accredited voters: 97
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APC votes: 2
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Labour Party votes: 91
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PDP votes: 3
The figures show that the Labour Party recorded 91 votes out of 97 accredited voters in the 2023 election, according to the supplied result data.
The reported 2027 register figure of 754 represents a dramatic departure from the previous figure of 180.
The question requiring an answer from INEC is straightforward:
How did the polling unit’s registered-voter population increase by 574 within the period, and can every additional registration be independently accounted for?
The 2023 Form EC8A and the corresponding 2027 register entries are important evidence for examining this discrepancy.
However, the underlying documents must be checked to confirm that they refer to precisely the same polling unit and geographical boundaries.
INEC preliminary register is open to public scrutiny
The timing of the allegations is significant.
INEC announced on October 26, 2026, that it would make the preliminary register of voters for the 2027 general election available online following its physical display at Registration Areas between October 9 and 15.
The Commission said the online publication would allow Nigerians to inspect the register and submit claims and objections.
According to the announcement, INEC was processing objections ahead of the planned certification and publication of the final register on December 15, 2026.
This provides an opportunity for voters, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to identify questionable entries before the final register is certified.
Ebonyi INEC position raises an additional question
There is also an important development concerning the availability of updated registration figures in Ebonyi State.
In a report published on October 28, 2026, Vanguard quoted Ebonyi INEC Head of Voter Education, Victor Okoh, as saying that the commission’s ICT department was still compiling updated registration data.
He reportedly said the figure available to him remained the 2023 register total of 1,558,840 voters.
This raises an important question:
“How were the polling-unit-level figures being circulated for Obeagu Isu Ward obtained, and do they correspond to the preliminary register published by INEC?”
The distinction matters.
The figures should not be treated as certified final registration statistics until their origin and status have been established.
A nationwide audit is necessary
The concerns raised in Obeagu Isu Ward should not be treated as proof of a problem confined to Ebonyi State.
A systematic comparison of the 2023 and 2027 registers across all states could help identify polling units with unusually high increases, unexplained reductions, duplicated entries or other inconsistencies.
INEC should be asked to provide clear explanations for exceptional changes and make the relevant registration information accessible for independent scrutiny.
Such an exercise should examine:
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The number of newly registered voters in each polling unit.
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The number of voters transferred into and out of each polling unit.
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Changes resulting from polling-unit boundary adjustments or administrative restructuring.
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Possible duplicate, ineligible or otherwise questionable registrations.
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Whether the identities and registration details of additional voters can be verified through the appropriate lawful procedures.
A significant increase is not automatically evidence of fraud.
Eligible citizens have the right to register, and legitimate demographic and administrative changes can produce substantial variations.
The objective must be to establish whether each entry is genuine and properly accounted for.
Voters urged to verify their registration details
The individual who circulated the figures also urged polling-unit agents and political stakeholders to begin verification exercises immediately.
The proposed approach includes checking the preliminary register, identifying registered voters within each polling unit and conducting lawful, door-to-door voter education and verification activities.
The online preliminary register of INEC provides an important avenue for members of the public to inspect their registration particulars and raise objections through the prescribed procedures.
The Commission’s own preliminary voter-register platform should therefore be central to any verification exercise.
INEC must explain the figures
The reported increase in Obeagu Isu Ward presents questions that deserve answers before the 2027 elections.
Why did PU 010 reportedly rise from 180 to 754 registered voters? Why did PU 011 increase from 96 to 760? Are the additional voters genuine, and can the changes be reconciled with the official registration records?
INEC should publish or make accessible the relevant polling-unit-level breakdowns and explain the exceptional variations.
The credibility of the 2027 elections depends not only on the conduct of voting and collation but also on public confidence in the register from which the elections will be conducted.
The figures are a reason to investigate, not yet proof of an organised rigging operation.
The burden is now on the electoral commission to provide transparent, verifiable answers.
