2019: INEC Reacts as Foreigners’ Names Flood Voter Register

2019: INEC Reacts as Foreigners’ Names Flood Voter Register

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday said it had deleted 299 names of foreigners from the voter register.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a consultative meeting of the commission with security agencies in Abuja, Daily Trust writes.

According to Prof Yakubu, the electoral body was alerted following information made available by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

“Those who are below the age of 18, aliens, those registered in absentia, those barred by statutory regulations from registering as voters are not qualified,” he said.

“Persons who do not ordinarily reside, work or originate from the area covered by the registration are ineligible.

“We will continue to thoroughly scrutinise registrants in the ongoing exercise in order to ensure that only eligible registrants get registered.”

Yakubu said the electorate that the commission, in collaboration with security agencies, would continue to work to guarantee citizens’ rights during campaigns and actual voting in a professional and non-partisan manner, consistent with the provisions of the law.

He further assured that all registered voters and those intending to register will get their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) before the 2019 elections.

In his remarks, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd), commended the commission for maintaining sanity in the electoral process and assured of free, fair and credible elections.