Nigeria tops others in ECOWAS, says INEC
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nigeria has 11 million more registered voters than in all the other 14 countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) combined, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says, to highlight its challenge.
The INEC disclosed the numbers in its update for Week 11 in the fourth quarter which shows that new voter registration is currently10,487,972.
There are 397.21 million people in the 15 ECOWAS member-states. Nigeria alone accounts for 206 million or 52 per cent.
“The number of completed registration stood at 8,631,696 (online – 3,250,449 and physical – 5,381,247). There are 4,292,690 males, 4,339,006 females, 67,171 PWDs [People With Disabilities] and 6,081,456 youths.
“Nigeria currently has a voting population of 84 million registered voters, which is 11 million voters more than all registered voters of 14 other countries in the West African and Sahel region,” the INEC said.
INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu said the fact Nigeria has 11 million more registered voters than in all other countries combined shows the enormity of the Commission’s responsibilities and why it works with agencies and countries in the international community to deliver credible elections.
“We will do what is right on the basis of the law while the ultimate choice will be made by Nigerians on who they will vote.
“We will continue to consolidate on achievements recorded so far to make sure elections get better and better with each round of the election,” Yakubu promised.
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Extension of voter registration
The INEC has extended Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) by 60 days from 30 June.
This was disclosed by House of Representatives Electoral Matters Committee Chairman Aishatu Dukku during plenary on 22 June, per reporting by Nairametrics.
“The Committee held a meeting with INEC yesterday (21 June) and they agreed to extend the CVR, all our resolutions were approved,” she said.
More Nigerians have trooped to PVC registration centres since the end of party primaries on 8 June.
The INEC originally set 30 June as registration deadline but was compelled to extend it because of agitation by individual Nigerians and civil society groups as well as by an Abuja Federal High Court ruling on 20 June.
Judge Mobolaji Olajuwon gave the order sequel to an ex-parte motion filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).