The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified the fee of N1,505,901,750 for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the National Register of Voters and polling‑unit details. The clarification follows a request from V.C. Ottaokpukpu and Associates. In a statement, Victoria Eta‑Messi, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, explained that the amount reflects the actual cost of document duplication and transcription as required by the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011.
The request, received on 8 October, sought CTCs of the national register of voters for all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and all existing polling units nationwide. INEC responded on 13 October, granting approval and specifying the processing and issuance costs. The quoted figure quickly attracted media attention and public inquiry.
Section 8(1) of the FOI Act 2011 permits public institutions to charge only the actual cost of duplication and transcription when providing information. INEC’s Guidelines for Processing and Issuance of CTCs, authorized by Section 15 of the Electoral Act 2022, set a charge of ₦250 per page. The National Register of Voters contains 93,469,008 registered voters, with 16 voters per page, resulting in 6,018,661 pages. Printing details for 176,848 polling units across electoral wards adds 4,946 pages, bringing the total to 6,023,607 pages. At ₦250 per page, the total cost equals ₦1,505,901,750.
Eta‑Messi emphasized that the figure represents only the genuine cost of duplication and transcription, with no additional charges. INEC remains committed to transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources. This clarification aims to address concerns and provide a clear understanding of the costs involved in obtaining CTCs of the National Register of Voters and polling‑unit details.
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