Commission Says Charges Strictly Follow Freedom of Information Act, Electoral Guidelines
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has clarified the controversy surrounding the ₦1.5 billion cost attached to a request for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the National Register of Voters and polling units across the country.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, October 16, 2025, by the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, the Commission said, the amount was computed strictly in line with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011 and INEC’s approved guidelines.
The request, INEC said was made by Messrs V.C. Ottaokpukpu & Associates on October 8, 2025, and approved by the Commission on October 13, 2025. The total cost of ₦1,505,901,750, the statement explained, represents the actual cost of duplicating and transcribing over six million pages of documents.
“Where access to information is to be given under the Free Information Act, the public institution may charge an amount representing the actual cost of document duplication and transcription.” the stated.
The Commission added that its CTC guidelines, made pursuant to Section 15 of the Electoral Act 2022, peg the cost at ₦250 per page.
INEC further detailed that the National Register of Voters for all 36 states and the FCT contains 93,469,008 registered voters, with 16 voters per page, amounting to 6,018,661 pages. Printing the list of 176,848 polling units nationwide adds another 4,946 pages, bringing the total to 6,023,607 pages. At ₦250 per page, this yields the total figure of ₦1,505,901,750.
The Commission emphasized that the computation reflects only the cost of duplication and transcription, stressing that no additional or hidden charges were included.
INEC therefore reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources.
