Voter Registration Age Is 18, INEC Insists

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the approved voter registration age is 18.

Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, INEC resident electoral commissioner in Yobe, clarified this when he visited the Emir of Bade, Alhaji Abubakar Umar-Suleiman, in Gashua yesterday.

Abdullahi responded to Suleiman’s question about whether a 16- or 17-year-old would be allowed to register to vote when he/she turned 18 in 2027.

“Only eligible citizens of 18 years and above are allowed to register and vote under the Electoral Act,” he said.

He noted that voter registration is a critical aspect of the electoral process, which can determine the integrity of any election.

The REC said he was at the palace to solicit the Emir’s support in enlightening the people in his domain to successfully conduct Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

Abdullahi noted that INEC was mandated by law to collaborate with stakeholders and review the voter register before any election.

He said online voter registration had already begun on August 18, while the physical registration was slated for August 25. He added that both components would last one year.

The REC said physical registration would be conducted at INEC headquarters in Damaturu and its registration centres in the state’s 17 local government areas.

He listed the target beneficiaries as residents who had not previously registered, those who turned 18, those with issues with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and those who wished to change their polling units.

In his remarks, Suleiman pledged to mobilise his subjects for the ongoing CVR by INEC.

He said he would immediately summon members of his council, district, and village heads to sensitise them to the need to participate in the exercise.

The traditional ruler commended the REC for taking the advocacy to his palace, noting that involving traditional institutions in any programme was a sure way to achieve ultimate success.

The REC also visited Wetland FM 90.5, Gashua, where he requested the radio station’s management to adequately cover INEC activities, especially the CVR, which he described as the “heart of every election.”

He urged the station to particularly encourage its listeners to register to vote and ensure that they go through the list of voters for claims and objections when it is published.

The station’s General Manager, Mrs Fatima Yusuf, lauded the REC and his management team for the visit and promised in-depth coverage of the CVR. (NAN)