The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to allow the seven million Nigerians who have already started their voter registration some time to complete the process and obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs).
INEC’s data currently shows that only 3,444,378 out of 10,487,972 Nigerians who did their pre-registration online, went on to complete the process at INEC offices. This figure represents just 32.8 percent of the total number who registered online.
SERAP wrote in a letter dated August 13, 2022, signed by the Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, that the right to vote goes beyond casting a ballot but also includes being given the time and opportunity to complete the registration process.
They said shutting the door on eligible Nigerians to deny them the opportunity to complete the registration for their PVCs would hinder their right to vote, and deny them a say in the 2023 elections.
SERAP promised to consider taking up legal steps to make INEC comply with the request in the interest of the public.
“The failure of the applicants to complete their registration may be due to factors entirely outside of their control, especially given the well-documented challenges faced by many Nigerians at the registration centres across the country.
Unless they are given a reasonable time and opportunity to complete the registration process and to obtain their voter cards, these eligible Nigerians will not be able to vote in the 2023 general elections.
“The alleged failure of the applicants to complete their registration at INEC designated centres is not sufficiently weighty to justify their exclusion from the 2023 general elections. Any proffered justifications of saving time and cost are therefore wholly insufficient. Administrative convenience is simply not a compelling justification in the light of the fundamental nature of the right to vote.”
