By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Yobe State has urged stakeholders and the public to actively participate in the upcoming voter registration exercise, emphasizing its crucial role in ensuring credible elections.
Yobe State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ibrahim Abdullahi, made the appeal during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Damaturu ahead of the voter registration scheduled to commence on August 12, 2023.
Abdullahi stressed that election management is a gradual process requiring meticulous preparation.
“Today’s event is part of the processes leading to the election, in line with our established schedule,” he said.
The exercise aims to update voter records to reflect new legislative requirements, register first-time voters, allow existing voters to transfer or update their details and strengthen the integrity of the electoral process.
“Accurate registration empowers us to identify eligible voters and detect ineligible or duplicate records. That’s why this exercise is critically important,” he stated.
Recalling the 2021 voter registration, the REC highlighted key challenges, including; poor voter mobilisation and awareness, difficulties in cleaning up the register (e.g., removing deceased voters) and technical issues with registration equipment.
He urged stakeholders to propose solutions to improve the process, stating, “The voter register is the foundation of any election. Without a credible register, there can be no credible election.”
