…Sets to clean up registration data soon
By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that the ongoing online voter registration will be suspended on May 30, this year.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof Mohmood Yakubu, who made the disclosure at a meeting with civil society organisations (CSOs) yesterday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The INEC Chairman explained that the action is to enable the online registrants to complete their registration physically at the designated centres before the exercise is finally suspended on June 30.
Prof. Yakubu added that the suspension of the exercise would enable the commission to clean up the registration data, print the permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) and compile the register ahead of the 2023 general elections.
According to him, “As you are aware, the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ends next month i.e. 30th June 2022.
“Both the online pre-registration as well as the physical registration at designated centres are taking place simultaneously.
“However, online pre-registrants would require time to schedule appointments to complete their registration physically at designated centers.
“For this reason, the Commission has decided to suspend the online registration in the next three weeks i.e. 30th May 2022.
“This will enable the online registrants to complete their registration physically at the designated centres before the exercise is suspended on 30th June 2022.
“This will enable the Commission to clean up the registration data, print the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and compile the register ahead of the 2023 General Election.
“On the cleaning up of the registration data, the Commission addressed a Press Conference four weeks ago to present a report on the CVR exercise covering the period from June to December 2021”, he said.
Yakubu disclosed that for the first time, INEC deployed the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which involves fingerprint identification and facial biometric recognition, to clean up of the registration data.
The INEC Chairman reiterated the determination of the commission to deploy technology in the conduct of elections.
According to him, there are many progressive provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 which require deployment of technology, noting that one of such provisions is the electronic transmission of election results.
He stated that section 54(2) of the Electoral Act also makes provision for assistive materials for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Continuing, he said, “This is another progressive provision of the new Electoral Act. Over the years, we have worked with the disability community in designing some of the assistive materials such as the Braille Ballot Guide and the provision of magnifying glasses for visually challenged voters and posters for the deaf.
“We are also working together to collect disaggregated data for PWDs to assist the commission in optimally deploying the assistive materials.
“To deepen our collaboration, a meeting will be convened as early as next week with the disability community to discuss the implementation of the provisions of the new Electoral Act on inclusivity”, he said.
