By Sunny A. David, Awka
Commotion broke out at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State following allegations that some officials demanded ₦2,000 from applicants before processing voter registration and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The allegation emerged in a video circulating on social media, which captured a heated exchange between applicants and individuals believed to be officials at the electoral commission’s office.
According to a resident who narrated the incident in the video, some applicants were allegedly asked to pay ₦2,000 before their voter registration or PVC processing could be completed.
The situation reportedly escalated when one of the applicants challenged the alleged demand, insisting that voter registration and the issuance of PVCs are free services guaranteed under Nigeria’s electoral laws. The applicant was also said to have attempted to record the encounter with a mobile phone, leading to a confrontation that drew the attention of other applicants and bystanders.
While the video captured loud arguments and confusion at the scene, the full circumstances surrounding the incident have not been independently verified.
The development has generated widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians calling on INEC to investigate the allegations and take disciplinary action against any official found guilty of extortion.
INEC has consistently maintained that all voter registration services are free of charge. These include fresh voter registration, collection of Permanent Voter Cards, transfer of voter records, correction of personal information, and replacement of lost or damaged PVCs.
Under Nigeria’s electoral guidelines, no applicant is expected to pay any fee for voter registration or for obtaining, replacing, or transferring a Permanent Voter Card. The commission has repeatedly urged members of the public to report any cases of bribery, extortion, or illegal charges involving its permanent or ad hoc staff.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC had not issued an official statement specifically addressing the allegations at its Onitsha South office.
The incident comes as the electoral body continues its nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which was recently extended to enable more eligible Nigerians to register ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC has also introduced an online self-service platform to simplify voter registration processes, while reiterating that all registration-related services remain free of
charge.
