INEC Clarifies N1.5 Billion Fee for Certified True Copies of Voter Register
Oru Leonard
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has provided clarification on the N1,505,901,750 fee quoted for producing Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the National Register of Voters and polling unit details. According to INEC, the cost is calculated based on the actual cost of document duplication and transcription, as stipulated by the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and the Electoral Act 2022.
In a cost breakdown made available by INEC, the fee is calculated at N250 per page, with a total of 6,023,607 pages to be printed for both requests.
The law firm, Messrs V.C. Ottaokpukpu & Associates, requested CTCs of the National Register of Voters for all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as existing polling units nationwide.
INEC explained that the National Register of Voters contains 93,469,008 registered voters, with 16 voters per page, requiring 6,018,661 pages. Additionally, printing details of 176,848 polling units across electoral wards nationwide would require 4,946 pages.
The Commission reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public resources.
The fee has sparked public debate online, with many questioning its fairness, especially considering digital document management. Some observers defended INEC’s position, noting that the request was for Certified True Copies, which legally requires printing and certification of physical documents.
