The request, submitted by Messrs V.C. Ottaokpukpu & Associates on October 8, 2025, sought access to voter records for all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as polling unit information nationwide.
INEC, in a response dated October 13, approved the request and outlined a total charge of ₦1,505,901,750. The disclosure of the amount drew widespread public attention and online debate.
In a statement issued Thursday, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, clarified that the fee was calculated in accordance with Section 8(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, which allows public institutions to charge the actual cost of document duplication and transcription.
She added that the computation was also guided by Section 15 of the Electoral Act 2022, which sets a ₦250 fee per page for certified true copies.
According to INEC, the National Register of Voters—containing 93,469,008 registered voters—spans approximately 6,018,661 pages, while polling unit records across 176,848 locations require an additional 4,946 pages. At ₦250 per page, the total cost comes to ₦1,505,901,750.
“The amount reflects only the actual cost of duplication and transcription and does not include any other charges,” the commission emphasized, reiterating its commitment to transparency and accountability.
The commission’s clarification followed online criticism questioning the fairness of the charge. Some commentators argued the fee was excessive in a digital age, while others defended it, noting that the request was for certified physical copies as required by law.
INEC’s approval letter, signed by Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, directed the requesters to make payment through the INEC Remita Retrieval Reference system and submit proof before proceeding.
