The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has justified the N1.5 billion fee it quoted for processing and issuing Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the National Register of Voters and existing polling units across the country.

According to the Commission, the amount reflects only the actual cost of document duplication and transcription as required by law and does not include any additional or hidden charges.

INEC had come under fire after a letter signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, approving the release of Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the National Register of Voters and polling units data at a cost of N1.5 billion, surfaced online.

The letter caused widespread public criticism and debate over the legality and justification of the fee.

But in a statement signed by its Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, on Thursday, INEC explained that the sum resulted from a formal request submitted by Messrs V.C. Ottaokpukpu & Associates on October 8, 2025, and approved on October 13, 2025, in line with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011 and the Electoral Act 2022.

The Commission said the figure is strictly in accordance with Section 8(1) of the FOI Act, which allows public institutions to charge an amount representing the actual cost of document duplication and transcription.

INEC disclosed that the National Register of Voters contains 93,469,008 registered voters spread across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 16 voters per page and amounting to 6,018,661 pages.

It added that the list of 176,848 polling units across the country would require another 4,946 pages.

The statement said: “In accordance with INEC Guidelines for the Processing and Issuance of Certified True Copies (CTC) of Documents, which draws authority from Section 15 of the Electoral Act 2022, the applicable charge is 250 Naira per page.

“For clarity, the National Register of Voters for all 36 states and the FCT contains 93,469,008 registered voters, with 16 voters per page, requiring 6,018,661 pages. Additionally, printing the existing polling units in the electoral wards across the country, covering 176,848 polling units, will require 4,946 pages.

“The total number of pages to be printed for both requests is therefore 6,023,607, at a unit cost of 250 Naira per page, resulting in the total sum of 1,505,901,750 Naira.

“The Commission wishes to assure the public that this figure reflects only the actual costs of document duplication and transcription and does not include any other charges. INEC remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the responsible management of public resources.”