The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that one of its personnel with authorised access to the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database is at the centre of an investigation into the unauthorised disclosure of a voter record, while the Department of State Services (DSS) has commenced a parallel probe into the incident.
INEC disclosed that preliminary findings from its internal audit trail revealed there was no external cyberattack, hacking incident, or unauthorised access to its ICT infrastructure. Instead, the information was reportedly accessed through valid user credentials assigned to personnel participating in the ongoing CVR exercise and subsequently released without authorisation.
According to the commission, registration officers involved in the nationwide voter registration exercise were granted controlled access to specific sections of the database to register new voters, process transfers, and update voter records. INEC stated that such access is strictly limited to official duties and is withdrawn once the exercise concludes.
The electoral body further revealed that its audit trail has enabled investigators to identify the specific user account through which the information was accessed. Relevant personnel have reportedly been questioned, while all units connected to the incident are cooperating with the investigation.
INEC stressed that it is examining all technical, administrative, and operational aspects of the matter to determine responsibility and ascertain whether internal access-control procedures were violated. The commission also confirmed that the DSS has independently launched an investigation and that it will cooperate fully with security agencies.
The controversy emerged after information relating to a candidate in a recent political party primary election in the Federal Capital Territory surfaced online, raising concerns about voter data protection and the security of INEC’s registration systems.
INEC has urged the public to avoid speculation while investigations continue, assuring Nigerians that the findings of the probe and any disciplinary or legal actions arising from it will be made public.
