INEC quietly adds 453 polling units without public announcement ahead of 2027 polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) created 453 additional polling units without public announcement ahead of the 2027 general elections, Sahara Reporters reports. An official document obtained by the outlet shows Delta State now has 6,316 polling units, up from 5,863, bringing the national total to 177,299. INEC continues to say Nigeria has 176,846 polling units.

An INEC source said some senior officials and staff were unaware of the exercise. “This raises serious questions about institutional accountability, administrative transparency and the Commission’s commitment to conducting credible elections,” the source said. The source called on INEC to publish the locations, codes, wards, local government areas and dates of creation of the units.

SaharaReporters said efforts to reach Dayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, and Prof. Joash Amupitan were unsuccessful, as neither responded to phone calls or a text message. INEC earlier said its preliminary Register of Voters was under review, with the final register scheduled for December 15, 2026.