Issued in Abuja: 12:00pm, Monday, 5th September 2022
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) has noted the manner in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has displayed register of voters for public scrutiny does not fully conform with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022. INEC had displayed voters’ register at its Local Government Area Offices nationwide for seven days from 15th to 21st August 2022 for citizens to make claims and objections.
This is a vital aspect of the election process, that promotes credibility of the voters’ register as citizens are able to raise objections with respect to name of a person included on the register who is not qualified to be registered as a voter in that area, or who is deceased, or whose name has been omitted.
Situation Room wishes to restate the provision in Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 that the voters’ register “shall be displayed or published for public scrutiny at every registration area and on its official website or any website established by the Commission for that purpose”. To make this process seamless for citizens, it is expected that the Commission, in line with its current stance on the use of technology in elections, would also digitize this process as mandated by the new Act. Thus, we are demanding that INEC comply with this provision by displaying the register at the Registration Area/Ward level and on its website for 7 days. This has to be done before the Commission commences printing of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) for new registrants.
As we head into the elections, we urge the electoral body to carry out its responsibilities in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
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SIGNED:
Ene Obi
Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Asma’u Joda
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
James Ugochukwu
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room