Ahead of the 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday launched an online portal for Nigerians to register as voters.
The commission also released the guidelines for Continuous Voters Registration (CVR), stating that the exercise will commence as scheduled on June 28 in all the designated 2,673 online centres to be manned by 5,346 staff.
The portal will go live on Monday when the online registration is scheduled to commence
INEC’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, told journalists in Abuja that the portal was created for intending registrants to commence the process online by providing their details before booking an appointment to visit the commission’s office.
He also denied insinuations that the exercise is aimed at disenfranchising voters, saying that there are no approved cybercafés for the registration and that there would be no payment for any scratch cards before registration.
According to him, among the equipment for the exercise is a new registration machine called the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED).
He said the IVED device was built around the concept of a tablet computer and would replace the laptop-based old Direct Data Capture Machine (DDCM).
He said the device was developed by the commission’s engineers before it was fabricated abroad.
“It is more mobile and efficient than the DDCM and could also be deployed to other activities, particularly the accreditation of voters during elections,” he stated.
The new machine, whose battery has a lifespan of maximum of 12 hours, was unveiled yesterday.
Under the new system, it takes about six to seven minutes to register a prospective voter.
“We are now ready to resume the CVR on Monday next week. We have acquired all the equipment for the exercise,” Yakubu said.
Those eligible to register include anyone that is 18 years and above and have not registered previously; registered voters who have had any problem during accreditation for any past election, with either their permanent voters’ cards or their fingerprints not being read by the smart card reader; registered voters who want to transfer their voting location from one place to another; registered voters who want to correct issues with their data, such as misspelt names, dates of birth, and registered voters whose PVCs are lost or damaged.
Yakubu said the commission would introduce a dedicated portal for online registration.
He added: “The idea is for intending registrants to commence the process online by filling the forms and uploading their pictures and required documents, and then make an appointment on the web portal for a date and time to visit an INEC state or local government area (LGA) office to give their fingerprints and complete the registration.
“In addition, those who are already registered as voters can carry out all the other activities such as transfers, correction of personal details and replacement of damaged or defaced Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) online.
“We hope that through this portal, we shall reduce overcrowding at our registration centres, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, make the registration processes generally easier, thereby giving Nigerians a pleasant electoral experience.”
He reiterated that the online registration is free of charge.
“All you need is a device, including your mobile phones, that can connect to the internet. Citizens can complete the online pre-registration anywhere and at any time they choose. Just follow the simple but detailed step-by-step procedure on the portal and contact the INEC Help Desk where necessary. The details are on our website,” he stated.
On the fears being expressed that the CVR will disenfranchise many voters, the INEC chairman said: “The commission is aware that not all Nigerians have computers, smartphones, access to the internet or residing in urban and suburban areas. Some citizens may also have one form of disability or another to make it impossible for them to register online.
“The commission is also aware of its responsibility under the law to provide every eligible Nigerian with the opportunity to register irrespective of where they live or other circumstances of life. I wish to assure you that in addition to the online registration portal, there will be some 2,673 centres where citizens can register physically nationwide. ”
He added that the exercise will be carried out continuously for one year to provide enough time for the commission to reach all the nooks and crannies of the country.
