Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will publish the last voters’ register for the coming elections on January 16.
Aprokovibes reports that INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye disclosed this on Monday (today).
INEC also called on Nigerians to make out time to get their permanent voters cards (PVCs). Festus said the commission is worried that many PVCs are yet to be claimed by their owners. He added that the commission will not allow collection by proxy.
Speaking on a live television show, Festus, said contrary to what is making round on social media, the commission had been addressing all issues raised by citizens on underage voters and multiple registrations. He added that the commission is committed to giving Nigerians a free, fair and credible election.
“Some of the data you saw on social media about underage registration were some registrations that took place from 2011 to before the 2019 election. This commission had the courage to publish the entire register of voters and ask Nigerians to also check to ensure no malicious registrations have gone into our voters’ register.
“So, we have harvested all the claims and objectives and are cleaning up the voters’ register. We assure Nigerians, that the voters’ register we are going to go into the 2023 general election with will be one they will be proud of.
‘As of today, the voters’ register is hovering around 93.5 million registered voters. On January 16, the commission will publish the official register that will be used for 2023 elections,” Festus said.
On PVC collections, the INEC spokesman added, “If people made efforts to register, they should also make efforts to come out and collect their PVC. This commission will not, under any circumstance, give out any PVC by proxy.”