Nigeria’s Electoral Commission Warns Against Underage Voting and Registration Irregularities
In an effort to ensure the integrity of the country’s electoral process, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to residents of Bauchi State against engaging in underage or multiple voter registration, collecting Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by proxy, or interfering with its officials while on duty.
The warning, issued by Umar Ibrahim, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Bauchi, comes as the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise is underway in preparation for the 2027 general elections. Ibrahim emphasized that such offenses will attract severe penalties under the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended). “The Commission will not tolerate multiple registration, underage registration, or proxy collection of PVCs. These are serious electoral offenses, and anyone found guilty will face the full weight of the law,” he stated.
The CVR exercise aims to capture only qualified voters in the final register, and the Preliminary Register of Voters will be made public every three months to allow for corrections, objections, and claims. The REC urged all eligible voters to take advantage of the exercise to register, update their personal information, transfer their registration, or replace missing or damaged PVCs.
Ibrahim appealed to eligible Nigerians in Bauchi State to utilize this opportunity to register, update their details, and collect their PVCs. The warning and appeal come as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, emphasizing the need for a transparent and credible electoral process.
The INEC’s efforts to prevent underage voting and registration irregularities underscore the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, which is critical to the country’s democratic development. By ensuring that only qualified voters are registered and that the process is free from interference, the Commission aims to promote trust and confidence in the electoral system.
