The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced an investigation into allegations of unauthorized access to its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database and the subsequent disclosure of information relating to a candidate in a recent political party primary in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the Commission, preliminary findings indicate that there was no external breach, hacking incident, or unauthorized access to its ICT infrastructure. Rather, the information was accessed using valid credentials assigned to personnel involved in the ongoing CVR exercise and was allegedly released without authorization.
INEC disclosed that its audit trail has identified the user account linked to the incident, while relevant personnel have been questioned as investigations continue. The Commission emphasized that the matter involves the retrieval of a specific voter record and does not suggest any compromise of its broader voter registration system or the personal data of over 90 million registered voters.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding voter information and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. It also confirmed that the Department of State Services (DSS) has launched a parallel investigation into the matter.
INEC urged the public to disregard speculation and assured Nigerians that updates will be provided upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
