Borno Registration Centres Relocated: INEC Issues Update

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has relocated its voters’ registration centres from four local government areas in Borno State due to security concerns, according to iReporter Online.

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ma’aji, revealed this during a press briefing in Maiduguri on Thursday, announcing the start of the voter registration exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to iReporter Online, Ma’aji stated that the exercise, which begins on Monday, August 18, will now cover 23 of the state’s 27 local government areas because of ongoing security challenges.

“For security and safety reasons, four LGA offices—Abadam, Guzamala, Kala Balge, and Marte—will conduct physical registration at locations in Maiduguri Metropolis,” Ma’aji said.

Eligible voters from these areas are expected to travel to Maiduguri to register, as the commission will not provide transportation.

The affected LGAs continue to experience insecurity from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The REC explained that the exercise will be conducted in three phases: the first from August 18 to December 10, 2025, with the display of the register from December 15 to 21; the second from January 5 to April 17, 2026, with display between April 20 and 26; and the third from May 4 to August 17, 2026, with display from August 24 to 30.

According to iReporter Online, the exercise will include new voter registrations, replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), transfer of registration details for relocated voters, and updating of information for voters whose PVCs failed verification during the last election.

Ma’aji further disclosed that 66,072 unclaimed PVCs from previous exercises remain with INEC.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”