INEC Clarifies ₦1.5bn Charge for Certified True Copies of Voter Register

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that the ₦1.5 billion fee charged for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the National Register of Voters and polling unit details represents only the actual cost of document duplication and transcription, as stipulated by law.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, Director of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC.

Eta-Messi explained that the sum of ₦1,505,901,750 was quoted in response to a request from Messrs V.C. Ottaokpukpu and Associates, who had sought CTCs of the national voter register covering all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and all existing polling units nationwide.

“The amount represents only the actual cost of document duplication and transcription, in strict compliance with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011,” Eta-Messi said.

She noted that the request was received by INEC on October 8 and approved on October 13, with the cost breakdown attached in the response.

According to her, the figure drew public attention after the applicant’s correspondence became public, prompting clarifications from the commission.

“INEC emphasises that the cost is strictly in line with Section 8(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011,” she stated, quoting the law which allows public institutions to charge “only the actual cost of document duplication and transcription” when providing access to information.

Eta-Messi further explained that under INEC’s Guidelines for Processing and Issuance of CTCs, issued pursuant to Section 15 of the Electoral Act 2022, the approved charge is ₦250 per page.

“For clarity, the National Register of Voters contains 93,469,008 registered voters, with 16 voters per page, requiring 6,018,661 pages,” she said.
“Additionally, printing details of 176,848 polling units across the country will require 4,946 pages, bringing the total to 6,023,607 pages. At ₦250 per page, the total cost amounts to ₦1,505,901,750.”

Eta-Messi stressed that the total reflected only the actual cost of duplication, with no extra or administrative charges added.

She reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources, assuring that the Commission would continue to operate strictly within legal and financial frameworks.

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