2023: INEC’s response to allegations that it tampered with the voters’ register

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Concerning claims that it tampered with the voter list prior to the 2023 election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has spoken out.

GIOTV recall that the electoral umpire concluded the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), which commenced in January, on July 31.

On Thursday, Festus Okoye, INEC Head of Information and Voter Education denied altering the register.

He added that no new registrant had been added.

The commissioner said such would only be done after the completion of supplemental activities in line with the law.

INEC’s reaction followed a press conference by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP).

“No new registrant has yet been added to the Register of Voters for the 2023 General Election”, Okoye stressed.

The spokesman revealed that the commission is conducting an Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) cleanup by scrutinising every record.

He noted that based on the Electoral Act 2022, any record that does not meet all the criteria for inclusion, as stipulated in Section 10, will be discarded.

Okoye said appearance at the registration venue with proof of identity, age, nationality, fingerprints and clear pictures will be perused.

“It is only after the claims and objections have been completed that the final register will be published”, the official added.

Okoye assured that INEC would continue to provide the public with updates on the progress made on the processes.