INEC pledges to ensure no eligible Nigerian is disenfranchised
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nigeria’s three million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) will ballot in 2023, says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), bolstering the case of diasporans putting pressure on the umpire to also them participate in the crucial vote.
Nigerians in Diaspora argue there is no reason why they should not be allowed to vote and have threatened to withhold remittances and apply other sanctions if they are prevented from participating in electing the best hands to rule the country.
INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu disclosed at an Abuja stakeholders’ meeting on the ‘2022 Revised Framework and Regulations for Voting by IDPs’ that the framework has considered several developments since the last review in 2018.
He said the policy ensures no eligible Nigerian is left out of the electoral process on account of displacement, disability or other circumstances that may limit citizens’ participation.
“One of such developments is the increased number of IDPs as a result of widespread insecurity nationwide.
“Secondly, to incorporate not only the displaced citizens arising from armed conflicts but also natural emergencies such as flooding,” Yakubu explained.
“Thirdly, to align the framework with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, specifically Section 24(1) which empowers the Commission to ensure that, as far as practicable, no Nigerian is disenfranchised on account of displacement by emergencies.
“Finally, to align the framework with the national policy on internally displaced persons 2021.”
Yakubu stressed the need for robust collaboration with stakeholders for voter education and sensitisation of IDPs.
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Display of voters’ register
Yakubu dismissed allegation by a coalition of civil society organisations that the INEC has violated Section 19(1) of the 2022 Electoral Act, which states how voters’ registration should be displayed nationwide, per Vanguard reporting.
He said the INEC has not fixed a date to display the register of voters but it will do at the right time.
He promised the register will be displayed across the country once the INEC completes Automated Biometric Identification System to weed out double/multiple as well as ineligible registrants.
“We wish to assure Nigerians that the Commission will display the comprehensive register in all the 8,809 wards and 774 Local Government Areas/Area Councils nationwide as envisaged in Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.
“This will integrate fresh voters registered under the last CVR exercise into the existing register of over 84 million voters.
“The date will be announced as soon as the commission completes the ongoing Automated Biometric Identification System to weed out all double/multiple as well as ineligible registrants.
“We appeal to some of our friends in civil society to be guided accordingly.”
