THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for increased collaboration and public participation ahead of the commencement of voter registration in Yobe State, scheduled to begin on August 12, 2023.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement session in Damaturu, the Yobe State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ibrahim Abdullahi, emphasized that credible elections begin with a credible voter register, urging all eligible citizens and local actors to support the exercise.
“Election management is not a one-day affair. It requires careful planning and active stakeholder involvement at every stage,” Abdullahi said.
The upcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise is part of preparations for future elections and aims to:
Register first-time voters; enable transfers or corrections of existing voter data, reflect new legislative changes; and strengthen the overall integrity of the electoral process.
Abdullahi stressed the importance of accurate data collection, noting that a well-updated register is key to identifying eligible voters and eliminating duplications or invalid entries.
Reflecting on lessons from the 2021 CVR exercise, the REC cited challenges such as: low voter awareness and mobilisation, technical glitches with registration equipment, difficulties in purging the register of deceased or ineligible voters.
He urged stakeholders to offer practical ideas for overcoming these hurdles, reiterating that “The voter register is the foundation of any election. Without a credible register, there can be no credible election.”
Abdullahi expressed satisfaction with the turnout at the engagement, noting stakeholders’ willingness to partner with the Commission to ensure the exercise’s success.
He concluded with a call to action: “It is your right, your franchise. We urge every eligible citizen to take this seriously and register. Stakeholders must mobilise their communities—this is a shared national responsibility.”
