The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified the basis for the ₦1.5 billion charge quoted for the issuance of Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the National Register of Voters and polling unit lists across the country.
In a statement signed by the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, the Commission said the cost strictly reflects the actual expenses of document duplication and transcription, as stipulated under Section 8(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011.
INEC said the request, made by Messrs V.C. Ottaokpukpu & Associates on October 8, 2025, sought CTCs for the Register of Voters covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as polling unit details in all electoral wards. The Commission approved the application on October 13, outlining the processing cost.
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According to the statement, the National Register of Voters contains 93,469,008 registered voters, presented at 16 voters per page, requiring over 6 million pages to reproduce. The polling unit information, covering 176,848 polling units, adds nearly 5,000 additional pages.
INEC said the ₦250 per page rate is consistent with its established guidelines under Section 15 of the Electoral Act 2022, leading to a total cost of ₦1,505,901,750.
The Commission stressed that the charge covers only the duplication and transcription expenses, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent resource management.
