By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) immediately publish the national voters register to allow Nigerians verify registered voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group also asked INEC to disclose all approved changes involving polling and collation centres and explain the reasons and procedures behind such alterations.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, on Friday, November 13, 2026, HURIWA said Nigerians should not be expected to trust an electoral register they cannot independently scrutinise.

The demand followed allegations by the Peter Obi Media Office of a plot involving suspected elements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and some INEC officials to compromise the electoral process, particularly in the South-East.

The Obi Media Office had alleged that operatives linked to the Presidency were working with some INEC officials to relocate polling and collation centres, tamper with voter records and insert fictitious names into the voters register.

HURIWA said the allegations should prompt INEC to address public concerns and provide greater transparency in the management of the electoral register.

The group called for the publication of the complete national voters register and accessible platforms through which Nigerians could check the records, identify irregularities and report suspicious entries.

It also demanded that INEC disclose every approved alteration or transfer of polling units and any adjustment to electoral records, including the reasons and administrative procedures behind such changes.

“HURIWA also urges the Commission to disclose every approved alteration, transfer of polling units and adjustment to electoral records, including the reasons and administrative procedures behind such changes,” the statement said.

The rights group further challenged INEC to publicly clarify whether it had approved the relocation of any polling or collation centres ahead of the 2027 elections.

HURIWA warned that the insertion of fictitious names into the voters register or the recording of votes in the names of people who never appeared at polling units would constitute a serious threat to the integrity of the electoral process.

It called for anyone found engaging in electoral fraud to face the law, while insisting that all responses to electoral malpractice must remain within due process.

The group also challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly disown any alleged scheme to compromise the 2027 elections and assure Nigerians that no government agency would be used to manipulate the electoral process.

HURIWA urged election-monitoring organisations and the international community to closely monitor preparations for the 2027 elections, warning that a lack of transparency could deepen public distrust and heighten political tensions.

The association said the election must ultimately be determined by genuine voters and not through fabricated names or manipulated polling arrangements.

“The 2027 elections must be determined by genuine voters exercising their democratic rights, not by fabricated names, manipulated polling arrangements or the calculations of desperate politicians,” HURIWA said.