Yiaga Africa has called on Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure that the preliminary voter register is displayed in locations that are easily accessible to citizens.
The civil society organisation (CSO) also called on INEC to address some of the concerns that have been raised to boost confidence in the exercise.
Yiaga Africa made the calls in its initial report on the ongoing nationwide display of the preliminary register of voters.
The display of the register of voters for public scrutiny by INEC commenced on Saturday, 12 November, and will end on Saturday, 25 November.
This exercise, which is being carried out in all 8,809 registration areas (wards) as required by the 2022 Electoral Act in Nigeria, is an important pre-election activity that allows registered voters to raise claims and objections as well as other issues affecting their registration.
‘INEC and other stakeholders, especially political parties, should intensify the publicity of the display, claims and objections exercise and also increase voter education on the importance of scrutinising voters’ review of the temporary voters’ register’, Yiaga Africa stated.
‘Security agencies should ensure effective distribution and adequate presence of their personnel in all registration areas to neutralise threats and increase citizens’ confidence, especially in locations where there is a higher likelihood of intimidation and violence.
‘Citizens should continue to engage in the electoral process, especially by checking their details in the published voters’ register, to ensure they can vote in the 2023 elections’.
Yiaga Africa also said it has received reports of irregularities in the preliminary voter register published on INEC’s website.
Many Nigerians who have reacted on Twitter called on INEC to do the needful regarding the number of underage voters that has been evident on the register.
‘As confirmed by Yiaga Africa #WatchingTheVote Citizen observers, the reports include duplicates, underage registered voters, and deceased persons on the register’, the CSO stated.
‘This validates our consistent call and that of other CSOs for the comprehensive audit of the voter register.
‘We call on the commission to, as a matter of urgent importance, address some of the concerns that have been raised, to boost confidence in the exercise and ensure that legitimately registered voters are not disenfranchised’.
Yiaga Africa also urged citizens to utilise official channels provided in the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines to report complaints and objections to irregularities in the voter register.
Photo source: GPA Photo Archive
