By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced an investigation into allegations of unauthorized access to its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database following the circulation of voter information linked to a candidate who participated in a recent political party primary election in the Federal Capital Territory.
The allegations, which have gained attention on social media and in sections of the mainstream media, prompted the Commission to initiate what it described as a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to INEC, authorized Registration Officers participating in the ongoing nationwide CVR exercise were granted controlled access to specific components of the voter registration system to carry out official duties such as registering new voters, processing transfer requests, and updating voter records.
The Commission emphasized that such access is strictly limited to official functions and is revoked at the end of the registration exercise.
Preliminary findings from the investigation have enabled INEC to identify the user account through which the information was accessed. Relevant personnel have since been questioned, while departments connected to the incident are reportedly cooperating fully with investigators.
The Commission stated that it is examining all technical, administrative, and operational aspects of the case to determine how the credentials were used, whether internal access-control protocols were breached, and who may bear responsibility for the unauthorized disclosure.
Importantly, INEC stressed that initial audit findings show there was no external breach of the CVR database, no hacking incident, and no unauthorized access to its ICT infrastructure by outside actors. Instead, the information appears to have been retrieved using valid credentials assigned to personnel involved in the voter registration exercise and subsequently released without authorization.
Officials further clarified that the incident concerns the retrieval of a specific voter record and does not suggest any compromise of the wider voter registration system or the personal data of more than 90 million registered voters nationwide.
Reaffirming its commitment to data security, INEC stated that the confidentiality, integrity, and protection of voter information remain a top priority.
The Commission pledged to maintain transparency throughout the investigation and to take appropriate disciplinary or legal action against anyone found culpable.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has independently launched its own investigation into the matter.
INEC said it would continue to cooperate with security agencies and ensure that any individual found responsible faces the full weight of the law.
The Commission also appealed to members of the public and media organizations to avoid speculation while investigations are ongoing, assuring Nigerians that the outcome of the probe and any corrective measures taken will be made public in due course.
