The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced an investigation into the alleged unauthorised release of information from its Continuous Voter Registration database, following the circulation of details linked to a candidate who participated in a recent political party primary in the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the commission had taken immediate steps to determine how the information was accessed and made public.
According to INEC, preliminary findings from its audit trail have already identified the user account through which the voter information was retrieved.
Haruna explained that officials engaged in the ongoing nationwide voter registration exercise were granted controlled access to specific sections of the registration system to facilitate registration, transfer requests, and updates to voter records.
He noted that such access was strictly limited to official assignments and was expected to be revoked after the exercise.
The commission disclosed that personnel linked to the identified account had been questioned, while all departments connected to the incident were cooperating with investigators.
“Relevant personnel have been interrogated, and all units associated with the matter are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation,” the statement said.
INEC stressed that its preliminary assessment showed there was no evidence of hacking or external infiltration of its database.
The electoral body clarified that the information was accessed using legitimate credentials assigned to officials participating in the voter registration exercise but was allegedly released without authorisation.
According to the commission, the incident involved the retrieval of a single voter record and did not indicate a breach of its broader voter registration infrastructure or the personal information of more than 90 million registered voters.
“The matter under investigation concerns a specific voter record and does not suggest any compromise of the commission’s wider database or the personal details of registered voters,” the statement added.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding voter information and maintaining the integrity of its digital systems.
The commission also revealed that the Department of State Services had independently launched an investigation into the matter and pledged full cooperation with security agencies.
It vowed to ensure that anyone found culpable would face appropriate legal consequences.
The development follows controversy surrounding the alleged disclosure of voter information belonging to Nollywood actor and politician Emeka Ike.
Ike, who contested for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency seat in the FCT under the Nigerian Democratic Congress, recently threatened legal action against Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Olayinka had posted screenshots on social media purportedly showing Ike’s voter registration details, including his application number, registration centre, voter identification number, photograph and other personal information.
The post sparked widespread criticism, with many social media users questioning how the information was obtained from what appeared to be an administrative section of INEC’s portal.
Reacting during a television interview on Tuesday, Ike condemned the disclosure, describing it as disturbing and an example of political recklessness.
As investigations continue, INEC urged Nigerians and media organisations to avoid speculation, assuring that the outcome of the probe and any disciplinary measures taken would be made public.
