INEC Demands ₦1.5bn to Release Voter Register & Polling Unit Records Under FOI Request.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sparked widespread public outrage and debate after demanding a staggering ₦1.5 billion from a Nigerian applicant seeking access to the national voter register and polling unit records under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

In a letter that quickly went viral on social media, INEC stated that the colossal fee was necessary to cover the cost of duplicating and transcribing over six million pages of requested documents. According to the commission, a total of 6,023,607 pages would need to be printed, with a unit cost of ₦250 per page, resulting in a total charge of ₦1,505,901,750.

INEC defended its position amid growing criticism, insisting that the charge was not arbitrary but rather a reflection of the actual operational expenses required to process such a massive information request. The commission explained that producing physical copies of the documents would involve extensive printing, data processing, and manpower, which contributed to the overall cost.

However, the justification has done little to calm public backlash. Many Nigerians have described the demand as “outrageous,” “unrealistic,” and “a deliberate attempt to frustrate transparency.” Legal experts and civil society groups have also questioned the legality of the fee, pointing out that the Freedom of Information Act was designed to promote access to public records—not restrict it with prohibitive costs.

Critics argue that INEC, being a publicly funded institution, should provide the requested data in a digital format or at a reasonable administrative fee, as stipulated by the FOI Act. They further contend that the commission’s stance undermines citizens’ right to information and erodes public trust in the electoral process.

As the controversy continues to unfold, pressure is mounting on INEC to review its decision and adopt a more transparent and citizen-friendly approach to information access. The incident has also reignited discussions about digitalizing Nigeria’s electoral data systems to ensure greater accountability, accessibility, and cost efficiency in the management of public information.