Voter register irregularities: 'You should clarify the way it occurred' – CDD to INEC

The Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, West Africa, has known as on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to supply an in depth clarification of the irregularities found within the nationwide voter register and take measures to stop a recurrence.

Speaking on Arise News on Saturday night, Chibuike Mgbeahuruike, who’s the Election Lead at CDD West Africa, stated INEC should transcend figuring out people answerable for the irregularities and examine the circumstances that allowed the lapses to happen.

Mgbeahuruike’s name adopted INEC’s current disclosure that it had recognized 54 people from 10 states allegedly answerable for irregularities within the voter registration course of.

He acknowledged the fee’s choice to recognise the issues and determine these concerned, describing it as a optimistic step in the direction of addressing issues surrounding the integrity of the voter register.

However, Mgbeahuruike burdened that Nigerians need to know the way the irregularities occurred and what measures the electoral physique intends to introduce to stop comparable incidents sooner or later.

“INEC has made a good start by acknowledging the issues and identifying those responsible. However, beyond establishing who the individuals involved are, we also need to understand how this happened in the first place,” he stated.

He maintained that such lapses ought to by no means have occurred, noting that since they’d been uncovered, the fee should take duty by offering explanations and addressing the weaknesses in its processes.

“This should never have happened, but since it has, INEC must provide explanations and address the lapses,” Mgbeahuruike said.

He additional emphasised the necessity for INEC to present Nigerians clear assurances that the issues wouldn’t occur once more, significantly given the significance of a reputable voter register to the nation’s electoral course of.

“More importantly, we need assurances that such incidents will not happen again,” he added.

Mgbeahuruike’s feedback underscore the necessity for larger transparency, accountability and stronger safeguards within the administration of Nigeria’s voter registration system.