The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the release of the voter register for the Rivers State local government elections set for August 9, 2025.

The approval came in response to a formal request from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC), which cited provisions of the Electoral Act and a recent Supreme Court ruling as the basis for conducting fresh local government elections.

RISIEC, in a letter dated March 3, 2025, informed INEC of its preparations for the elections and requested access to the current voter register and the updated list of registered political parties. The request was signed by RISIEC Chairman, Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli.

Following the request, INEC, in a letter dated March 13 and signed by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran, confirmed approval for the release of the documents. The commission instructed RISIEC to obtain a soft copy of the Rivers State Register of Voters and the updated list of political parties from INEC’s state office.

The INEC letter read, “This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 3rd March 2025 requesting the release of the current Register of Voters and the updated list of registered political parties in Nigeria for the conduct of the Local Government Council Election slated for Saturday, 9th August 2025 in Rivers State. The Commission has considered and approved your request. You may please liaise with the Commission’s Rivers State office to collect the soft copy of the Rivers State Register of Voters and the updated list of registered political parties in Nigeria.”