INEC launches probe into alleged leak of voter registration data linked to Minister’s aide

INEC launches probe into alleged leak of voter registration data linked to Minister’s aide

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced an investigation into the controversy surrounding the publication of voter registration information allegedly linked to Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The commission’s response follows widespread criticism on social media after Olayinka shared details relating to Nollywood actor and politician, Emeka Ike, who recently declared his intention to contest the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency seat in the FCT under the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

Olayinka had mocked the actor over his voter registration history, claiming that Ike initially registered in Imo State before transferring his voter registration to the FCT on May 15. The post was accompanied by screenshots that many social media users alleged were obtained from INEC’s administrative portal, raising concerns about the security of voter information and how such data became publicly available.

Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed that the commission had begun a detailed inquiry into the matter.

“The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to allegations currently circulating on social media and in some sections of the media regarding the alleged unauthorised access to the Commission’s Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database and the subsequent publication of information on a candidate in the recent primaries of a political party in the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement read.

Haruna said the commission moved swiftly to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.

“The Commission takes this allegation seriously and has immediately commenced a thorough investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident,” he stated.

According to INEC, access to parts of the Continuous Voter Registration system was granted only to authorised registration officers participating in the ongoing nationwide CVR exercise. The commission stressed that such access was limited to official responsibilities, including registering new voters, processing transfer requests and updating voter records.

The electoral body revealed that preliminary findings from its audit trail had helped investigators identify the specific user account through which the information was accessed.

“The audit trail from the preliminary investigation has enabled the Commission to identify the user account through which the information was accessed. Accordingly, relevant personnel have been questioned, and all units connected with the incident are cooperating fully with the investigation,” the statement added.

INEC said it was examining all technical, administrative and operational aspects of the case to determine whether any internal access-control protocols were violated and to establish individual responsibility before disciplinary measures are taken.

The commission, however, dismissed speculation that its database had been hacked or compromised by external actors.

“Preliminary findings from the Commission’s audit trail so far, however, indicate that there was no external breach of the CVR database, no hacking incident, and no unauthorised external access to the Commission’s ICT infrastructure. Rather, the information in question was accessed through valid user credentials assigned to personnel participating in the ongoing CVR exercise but released without authority,” Haruna said.

INEC further clarified that the investigation concerns the retrieval of a single voter record and does not suggest a wider compromise of its voter registration infrastructure or the personal information of more than 90 million registered voters nationwide.

Reaffirming its commitment to data protection, the commission said, “The Commission wishes to state categorically that it takes the security, confidentiality and integrity of voter data with the utmost seriousness and remains committed to transparency, institutional integrity, and the protection of voters’ personal information.”

The commission also disclosed that the Department of State Services has independently opened an investigation into the matter and pledged full cooperation with security agencies.

“Furthermore, the Department of State Services (DSS), on its own accord, has commenced an independent investigation into the matter. The Commission will continue to cooperate fully with all relevant security agencies and will not hesitate to refer any person found culpable for appropriate legal action,” the statement added.

INEC urged the public to avoid drawing conclusions while investigations remain ongoing, assuring Nigerians that the outcome of the probe and any actions taken would be made public in due course.