INEC Introduces NIN Verification to Eliminate Duplicate Voter Registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to deepen its collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) by using the National Identification Number (NIN) to verify voters and curb cases of multiple voter registrations across the country.

The move is expected to strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s voter register and improve the credibility of future elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made this known on Wednesday when he received the Director-General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and members of her management team during a visit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Amupitan said the partnership became possible following the enactment of the National Identity Management Commission Act, 2026, which provides a stronger legal framework for cooperation between government institutions on identity management matters.

According to him, INEC has already taken steps in that direction through its newly introduced online Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) platform. He explained that applicants are now required to provide their NIN as part of the registration process to enable proper identity verification.

The INEC chairman said integrating voter registration with the national identity database would help the commission detect and remove duplicate records while ensuring that only eligible citizens are captured in the voters’ register.

He noted that the commission is committed to adopting technology-driven solutions that will make voter registration more efficient, transparent and accessible to Nigerians.

“The Commission sees enormous opportunities for collaboration with NIMC, particularly in voter registration, data verification and the elimination of duplicate voter records,” Amupitan said.

He added that the partnership would not only simplify the registration process for citizens but also enhance public confidence in the electoral system.

Amupitan further stressed the importance of accurate and reliable identity data in the conduct of credible elections, saying effective verification mechanisms are necessary to prevent abuse of the voter registration process.

In her remarks, NIMC Director-General, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to support INEC in strengthening identity verification for electoral purposes.

She concluded the commission remains committed to building a robust and secure national identity system that can support critical government services, including election management.