LunagisthubINEC Demands ₦1.5 Billion for Voter Register and Polling Unit Data
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sparked controversy by demanding ₦1.5 billion from a law firm seeking certified true copies of Nigeria’s national register of voters and polling unit data. According to INEC, the fee is based on the actual cost of document duplication and transcription, as stipulated in the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and the Electoral Act 2022.
The commission calculated the cost at ₦250 per page, resulting in a total of ₦1,505,901,750 for 6,023,607 pages. This includes .
National Register of Voters:93,469,008 registered voters, with 16 voters per page, requiring 6,018,661 pages
Polling Unit Data :176,848 polling units, requiring 4,946 pages
INEC maintains that the fee reflects only the actual costs of document duplication and transcription, without any additional charges. The commission emphasized its commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public resources .
The demand has sparked widespread criticism, with many Nigerians describing the fee as excessive and an attempt to restrict access to public information. Critics argue that the fee contradicts the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act, which aims to promote transparency and accountability in governance .
The controversy surrounding INEC’s demand highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process. It also raises questions about the balance between the cost of providing public information and the right of citizens to access such information
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