INEC Probes Voter Data Leak, Traces User Account Linked to Unauthorised Access

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced an investigation into the alleged unauthorised access and release of voter information from its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database following a controversy arising from a recent political party primary election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the commission said it was treating the allegations with utmost seriousness and had immediately launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to INEC, authorised registration officers participating in the ongoing nationwide CVR exercise are granted limited access to specific sections of the registration system to process voter registrations, transfers, and updates. Such access, the commission noted, is strictly regulated and restricted to official duties.

Haruna revealed that preliminary findings from the commission’s audit trail had enabled investigators to identify the user account through which the information was accessed. He added that relevant personnel had been questioned and all units connected to the matter were cooperating with the investigation.

INEC stated that it was reviewing all technical, administrative, and operational aspects of the incident to determine responsibility and ascertain whether any internal access-control procedures were breached.

The commission, however, stressed that there was no evidence of external intrusion into its systems. It clarified that the information was accessed using valid credentials assigned to personnel involved in the CVR exercise and was subsequently released without authorisation.

INEC further assured Nigerians that the incident involved only the retrieval of a specific voter record and did not indicate any compromise of its broader voter registration infrastructure or the personal data of over 90 million registered voters.

The controversy followed the publication of what appeared to be actor Emeka Ike’s voter information by Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The disclosed details reportedly included Ike’s voter identification number, application records, registration centre information, and profile photograph.

INEC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding voter data, while revealing that the Department of State Services had also commenced an independent investigation. The commission urged the public to avoid speculation as investigations continue.