INEC Threatens To Prosecute Voters Involved In Double Registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday
threatened legal prosecution against anyone caught registering more
than once in the ongoing registration of voters.

INEC clearly stated that double registration is an electoral
offence, noting clearly that those with online registration slip
should not consider such as voter cards as it is expected to elapse
after 14 days of issuance.

The commission further said ignorance of the law would not be
accepted as a defence for double registration.

The threat of legal prosecution was handed down yesterday in
Kano by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Voter
Education, Festus Okoye, during a sensitisation workshop for Heads
of Department of Voters Education and Public Affairs

According to Okoye, “Those that will plead ethnic, religious or
political persecution when the commission begins the prosecution of
double registrants should plead with those that have attempted or
attempting double registration to desist from it as it amounts to
electoral offence.

“The commission will not listen to pleas of ignorance of the law
or ethnic or religious bias when proceeding against those that
violate the spirit of the current effort.”

Okoye reiterated the fact that it is not compiling a new
register of voters, as the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)
exercise is to afford those that have attained the age of 18 years
and those that have not registered before the opportunity to
register.

He also said it was also meant for those who want to transfer
their registration from one state to another or from one local
government area to another as well as meant for those that had one
challenge or another with their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs)
during accreditation and for those that want to correct genuine
mistakes and errors in their registration data.

The commissioner explained that the implication of double
registration is that those that are already registered and
presented themselves for fresh registration are trying to corrupt
the electoral process and may be candidates for prosecution.

The INEC national commissioner stated that the expectation of
the workshop is to improve their knowledge on the processes and
procedures of the commission in the onerous task of interfacing
with the public and enlightening them on the innovations introduced
by the commission towards strengthening the electoral process.

Reiterating the justification of the continuous voters register,
he said the capacity of the INEC to compile a credible voters’ list
is at the heart of the democratic process, as eligible citizens
cannot vote unless their names are captured on the roll of
voters.

In Nigeria, he said, INEC has the exclusive right and
prerogative to register voters, and it does not share this right
with any individual or organisation.

Meanwhile, INEC said it the number of fresh registrants since
the launch of the online registration portal on June 28, 2021, has
now exceeded two million.

In an update on the voter registration notice signed by Okoye,
the commission said as at 7a.m. yesterday, the number of new
registrants was 2,215,832.

Similarly, he said four weeks ago, the commission commenced the
in-person or physical registration as well as the completion of
online pre-registration in the states and local government area
offices nationwide.

Also, Okoye stated that the number of completed registration now
stands at 430,363.

The INEC commissioner stated that detailed distribution of the
online and completed registration by states/FCT, age, gender,
occupation and disability has been uploaded on the commission’s
website and social media platforms for public information.

The commission appealed to all eligible citizens who have not
registered before to seize the opportunity to do so.

For emphasis, Okoye explained the commission noted that those
who have already registered as voters need not register again.

However, he said those who wish to transfer to another place
where they wish to vote in future elections or who have issues with
their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) may apply online or in-person
for resolution.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday
threatened legal prosecution against anyone caught registering more
than once in the ongoing registration of voters.

INEC clearly stated that double registration is an electoral
offence, noting clearly that those with online registration slip
should not consider such as voter cards as it is expected to elapse
after 14 days of issuance.

The commission further said ignorance of the law would not be
accepted as a defence for double registration.

The threat of legal prosecution was handed down yesterday in
Kano by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Voter
Education, Festus Okoye, during a sensitisation workshop for Heads
of Department of Voters Education and Public Affairs

According to Okoye, “Those that will plead ethnic, religious or
political persecution when the commission begins the prosecution of
double registrants should plead with those that have attempted or
attempting double registration to desist from it as it amounts to
electoral offence.

“The commission will not listen to pleas of ignorance of the law
or ethnic or religious bias when proceeding against those that
violate the spirit of the current effort.”

Okoye reiterated the fact that it is not compiling a new
register of voters, as the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)
exercise is to afford those that have attained the age of 18 years
and those that have not registered before the opportunity to
register.

He also said it was also meant for those who want to transfer
their registration from one state to another or from one local
government area to another as well as meant for those that had one
challenge or another with their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs)
during accreditation and for those that want to correct genuine
mistakes and errors in their registration data.

The commissioner explained that the implication of double
registration is that those that are already registered and
presented themselves for fresh registration are trying to corrupt
the electoral process and may be candidates for prosecution.

The INEC national commissioner stated that the expectation of
the workshop is to improve their knowledge on the processes and
procedures of the commission in the onerous task of interfacing
with the public and enlightening them on the innovations introduced
by the commission towards strengthening the electoral process.

Reiterating the justification of the continuous voters register,
he said the capacity of the INEC to compile a credible voters’ list
is at the heart of the democratic process, as eligible citizens
cannot vote unless their names are captured on the roll of
voters.

In Nigeria, he said, INEC has the exclusive right and
prerogative to register voters, and it does not share this right
with any individual or organisation.

Meanwhile, INEC said it the number of fresh registrants since
the launch of the online registration portal on June 28, 2021, has
now exceeded two million.

In an update on the voter registration notice signed by Okoye,
the commission said as at 7a.m. yesterday, the number of new
registrants was 2,215,832.

Similarly, he said four weeks ago, the commission commenced the
in-person or physical registration as well as the completion of
online pre-registration in the states and local government area
offices nationwide.

Also, Okoye stated that the number of completed registration now
stands at 430,363.

The INEC commissioner stated that detailed distribution of the
online and completed registration by states/FCT, age, gender,
occupation and disability has been uploaded on the commission’s
website and social media platforms for public information.

The commission appealed to all eligible citizens who have not
registered before to seize the opportunity to do so.

For emphasis, Okoye explained the commission noted that those
who have already registered as voters need not register again.

However, he said those who wish to transfer to another place
where they wish to vote in future elections or who have issues with
their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) may apply online or in-person
for resolution.