2023: INEC to introduce online voter registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday that the continuous voter registration exercise for the 2023 general election will be done online.

Only the biometric will be captured physically with INEC officials.

The National Commissioner of INEC, Barrister Festus Okoye, announced this during a stakeholders meeting on expanding voter access to polling units in Kano yesterday.

“On June 28, the voter registration exercise for those above 18 years and those who have not registered before will commence with two new innovations. Those versatile with computer can register online and only visit a registration centre to capture their biometrics,” he said.

Okoye explained that the online registration will be introduced to reduce crowd at registration centres in line with COVID-19 protocols.

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The commission called on citizens, especially those willing to contest elections, whose voter cards have been defaced, whose names were wrongly spelt or addresses and locations wrongly captured should come forward for authentication or correction.

INEC also called for valid data of all those with disabilities or physical challenges to be captured during the continuous registration exercise for proper projections ahead of the 2023 general election.

The national electoral body also warned political parties and politicians who have started campaigning directly or indirectly.

Okoye said: “There is a ban on political campaigns which has not been lifted yet. And I find it necessary to draw your attention for you to understand the legal implication of violating this ban.

“I have listened to comments on radio stations, which are capable of heating the polity. Media organisations should avoid providing platforms for such comments. The media should try to curtail such tensions.

“Political parties, politicians and their supporters should understand there is a legal framework for campaigns and it has not commenced, yet,” Okoye said.