INEC Removes 190 Foreigners from Voters’ List

INEC Removes 190 Foreigners from Voters’ List

 

*Deploys CVR to ward level in Anambra

In a bid to clean up the voters’ register, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday said it had ordered the removal of 190 non-Nigerians from the register of voters.

 The commission also said it had decentralised the on-going nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Anambra State to the registration areas.

Following the disclosure by Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) that it had retrieved several Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and National Identity cards from foreigners who were alleged to have registered as voters, INEC yesterday said that it has removed names of 190 foreigners from the voters register.

In a statement issued by INEC Director in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, the commission said it would ensure that the voter register was free from unqualified registrations and that the register of voters’ met internationally accepted standards.

The commission further said it would continue to strengthen its relationship with security agencies and other organisations in ensuring that the electoral process is improved.

Ahead of the governorship election in Anambra State scheduled for November 18, INEC said it has decentralised the on-going nationwide CVR exercise in the state to the registration areas.

 The CVR registration exercise in the state which began yesterday would continue till Tuesday August 15.

 The commission explained that the move to decentralise the registration from the 21 local government offices to the 326 registration areas in the state was aimed at bringing the exercise closer to the people as well as to ensure every eligible Nigerian in the state was captured in the exercise.

 It warned that the CVR exercise in the state should not be misunderstood for a fresh voters’ registration, but should be seen as an opportunity for eligible citizens who have not registered before and those whose names were not found on the voters register to get registered.

According to INEC, the CVR exercise also provides a window for those who wish to transfer their registration details to another location as well as to provide room for those who have lost their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to apply for replacements.