INEC Online Pre-Registration Portal Crashes After 26,255 Enrollments

INEC’s online pre-registration portal for the 2027 Nigerian General Elections crashed within hours of its launch after recording 26,255 successful enrollments [1]. The portal, which opened on Monday, August 18, was designed to allow citizens aged 18 and above to register, transfer, or replace their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) online. However, by 2:30 pm, users began encountering a 502 Server Error, which indicates a failure in communication between servers and points to a technical issue on the server side [1].

INEC had announced the commencement of the online pre-registration as part of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) program, a key component of its preparations for the 2027 elections. According to INEC’s official timeline, in-person registration is set to begin on August 25, 2025, across all 37 state offices and 774 local government areas [1]. Despite this, the reliance on the online portal as a primary registration channel has drawn criticism, with many Nigerians expressing frustration over the crash and its implications for accessibility.

Social media users on X (formerly Twitter) voiced concerns over the reliability of the system. One user questioned why online registration was necessary when many citizens lacked internet access, while another highlighted the difficulty in creating login credentials on the portal. The reactions underscore broader concerns about the commission’s technical preparedness and the capacity of government agencies to manage digital infrastructure [1].

The crash follows a history of technical issues with INEC’s digital systems. During the 2023 elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission faced significant backlash for the failure of the Integrated Result Viewing (IREV) portal, which delayed the upload of presidential election results by two weeks [1]. INEC’s report noted HTTP errors and configuration problems that contributed to the delay, raising concerns over the credibility of the electoral process. The repeated incidents have fueled skepticism about the commission’s ability to implement reliable digital solutions for the upcoming election cycle.

The latest incident highlights the vulnerability of government websites to traffic surges and inadequate infrastructure. Analysts have long pointed to the need for robust server architectures and redundancy measures to prevent such outages. Without these, the credibility of digital electoral systems remains at risk [1]. INEC has advised citizens to remain patient and check the portal regularly for updates. It also provided contact details for its call center and short code to assist users with registration.

INEC’s online pre-registration system is expected to remain a key tool in expanding voter access, particularly in rural areas. However, the portal crash raises urgent questions about the commission’s readiness to handle the technical demands of a nationwide digital registration process. With the next general elections just over three years away, the incident serves as a reminder of the need for thorough testing, improved digital infrastructure, and increased investment in election technology. Until these challenges are addressed, public confidence in the electoral process may remain compromised [1].

Source: [1] INEC online pre-registration portal crashes after 26,255 enrollments (https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/68a33d8b516a4211d44abebd/)