SAN FRANCISCO, March 29, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives Wednesday pointed out that between 2011 and 2015, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, failed to register 60 per cent of Nigerians who are of voting age.
It argued that the non-registration of such a large number of eligible voters was as a result of the electoral body’s failure to comply with Section 10(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010, which made a clear provision for continuous voter registration.
The House arrived at this position after debating on a motion moved by Benjamin Ikani-Okolo on the need to investigate breaches of the Electoral Act by INEC.
Part of the motion read, “The House is aware that number of registered voters increased only minimally from 58,920,078 in 2011 to 68,833,476, representing only 17 per cent increase from 2011 to 2015 in aggregate of all states in Nigeria.
“Concerned that INEC has over the years been breaching the provisions of the Electoral Act on continuous voter registration by failing to comply with the law or has deliberately been neglecting its mandate in that regard.”
Noting that “24,346,157” Nigerians turned 18 years between 2011 and 2015, the House stated that “only about 9,913,398” out of the eligible voters were registered by INEC, an indication that the majority of 14, 432,761 were not registered and could not vote.
During the session, presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, it was stated that the 9.9 million voters registered out of the 24.3 million, who attained the voting age within the period, represented “only 40 of the total number of Nigerians that turned 18 years”.
The lawmakers also pointed out that overall voter registration increased minimally between 2011 and 2015 by only 17 per cent.
They criticised INEC’s practice of waiting till elections were close before beginning to register voters or update the voter register.
While contributing to the debate, House Minority Leader, Leo Ogor argued that fixing specific dates for voter registration was a breach of the Electoral Act.
He spoke further, “The law is very clear. It is a continuous exercise and we must not wait till elections are close, then we begin to rush everything.
“In every local government headquarters in this country, there is at least one INEC office.
“Voter registration should be going on continuously to capture the majority of eligible voters.
“But, INEC will not do its work; they like to rush things when elections are by the corner.”
Members passed the motion in a majority voice vote for investigation to be carried out within four weeks.
They requested that INEC be made to answer questions on alleged breach of Sections 9(1); 10(1)(3) and (5) and 12(1) o the Electoral Act.
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