INEC headquarters in Abuja
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has addressed the controversy surrounding the ₦1.5 billion fee charged for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the National Register of Voters and polling unit records.
In a statement released Thursday in Abuja, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, clarified that the amount—₦1,505,901,750—was calculated based solely on the actual cost of producing the documents, in full compliance with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act of 2011.
The request, submitted by Messrs V.C. Ottaokpukpu and Associates on October 8, sought CTCs for the entire national voter register across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and detailed data from polling units nationwide. INEC approved the request on October 13 and subsequently communicated the total cost involved.
“The Commission wishes to emphasise that the cost is strictly in line with Section 8(1) of the FOI Act, which permits public institutions to charge only for the actual cost of document duplication and transcription,” Eta-Messi stated.
She further explained that, based on INEC’s CTC processing guidelines—backed by Section 15 of the Electoral Act, 2022—the standard rate is ₦250 per page.
Breaking down the numbers, Eta-Messi noted:
The National Register of Voters includes 93,469,008 registered voters
With 16 voters per page, this requires 6,018,661 pages
The polling unit details, covering 176,848 units, add 4,946 pages
Total pages: 6,023,607
At ₦250 per page, the total cost comes to ₦1,505,901,750
“There are no hidden charges. This figure represents only the real cost of printing and copying the requested materials,” she emphasised.
Amid public reaction and media buzz over the hefty price tag, INEC has reiterated its commitment to openness and responsible use of public funds.
“The Commission remains guided by principles of transparency, accountability, and prudent resource management,” Eta-Messi concluded.
