Former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Jega, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders have called for a review of Nigeria’s voter register.
Speaking at the launch of a discussion paper on improving the integrity of the voters’ register, organised by Yiaga Africa, the CSOs said there is absence of a legal and policy framework for cleaning the register, adding that there is also politically motivated inflation of the register.
But Jega, in his presentation, said as the country moves from the 2023 general elections to another election circle, there is the need to clean up the voter register.
“We have to strive to improve the integrity of the election and voter registration must be a top priority,” Jega said, adding that, “Elections cannot have integrity if the register lacks integrity.”
He said there has to be a comprehensive review of the voters’ register.
Jega, who said positive changes have been recorded on the voters’ register overtime, added that there are still major challenges hence the need to continue to improve its integrity which will improve the integrity of elections.
“Nigeria voter register is one of the best in Africa, but not perfect,” Jega said, adding that there is need for improvement to bring the challenges to the barest minimum since there are issues you can’t totally eliminate.”
“There are still challenges,” Jega said of the voter register, recalling that when he was in INEC, they had duplication software in the states and at the headquarters.
Jega, who called for the training of INEC staff and motivation, said it will help in addressing the challenges of errors.
He recalled that during his time as INEC chairman the issue of registering foreigners and minors was grossly politicised even though the total number of foreigners they got in the register were not more than 200.
“We should not allow the possibilities of allowing underage or foreigners in our register,” Jega said, acknowledging that removing such people in the voter register is difficult.
“There should be vigilant, arrest and prosecution of such people,”Jega said while urging INEC and other stakeholders to embark on sensitisation programmes.
“To clean up the register, you need a good record of birth and death, “ Jega said, adding that obtaining such information is always difficult.
Executive director of Yiaga Africa Samson Itodo said data management and processing are major sources of the problem with the registration process.
Itodo said there is also poor interagency collaboration, adding that there are several pathways to raising the integrity of the present voter register.
“The voters’ register should be effectively linked to census, civic registration and other databases for easy verification and updating,” Itodo said.
The representative of Foreign, Common Wealth and Development Office (FCDO), Chris Okeke, said the integrity of the voter register is significant not just for the election outcome, but for citizens’ trust.
“We will want to know and hear from you the best way forward on improving the integrity of the voter register.
“We will get the buy-in of the critical stakeholders on the clean up of the voter register if the conversation continues,” he said.
Convener of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Dr YZ Ya’u said they want improved free and fair elections adding that the conversation on the clean up of the voter register is commendable.
“The CSOs will work towards ensuring an improved election conduct in the country,” Ya’u said.
Representative of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in charge of elections, Idris Ozigi said in the run up to the 2023 election, they arrested thousands of foreigners holding PVCs and handed the PVCs to INEC.
“Even two weeks ago, we made such an arrest, “Ozigi said, adding that the service will continue to partner with INEC in the clean up of the register because they know the foreigners.
“We want to prevent them from taking part in our electoral process because we have information on the migrants.
“If we can network to dictate those who may not be dictated physically, foreigners won’t be allowed to vote.
Representative of the National Population Commission (NPC), deputy director Musa Pius Shekarau said the commission supports Yiaga efforts to promote the clean up of voters’ register, adding that they are collaborating with INEC to create digital miles and data on deaths to cleanup the voters’ register which will impact future elections.
