INEC, ARE GHOST VOTERS ON YOUR REGISTER? NIGERIANS DEMAND ANSWERS

Reports that deceased Nigerians, including prominent figures such as Raymond Dokpesi, Ifeanyi Ubah, Muhammadu Buhari and Rotimi Akeredolu, still appear on the voters’ register raise serious questions about its accuracy and integrity.

These are just a few names. What about the 774 local government areas across Nigeria? How many deceased persons remain on the register? When was it last comprehensively updated? Is this an oversight, institutional failure or something more troubling?

INEC has the legal responsibility to cleanse the register, especially if it has been notified by citizens. The electoral body owes Nigerians answers. We demand a credible, up-to-date and verifiable voters’ register ahead of the 2027 elections.

We call on Nigerians, and political parties to take advantage of their rights and file objections to the electoral body so INEC can effect removals. On its part, INEC needs to look into these complaints, establish a portal to put all names under objection and give persons against whom a complaint has been lodged the opportunity to respond (in the case of the living), as well as publishing the procedure to object to illegal names in the interest of the public.

The electoral body is a well-funded organisation paid for by citizens, and therefore must provide value for money.

Nigerians will accept nothing less than the highest standards of efficiency, professionalism and accountability from INEC. The electoral body must demonstrate that it has the capacity, competence and commitment to deliver an election whose credibility cannot reasonably be called into question.

This is not too much to ask; it is the bare minimum expected of an institution entrusted with the people’s democratic mandate.

Furthermore, in light of the 2023 election credibility challenges, it is time for an independent, unbiased and professional audit of INEC processes and mechanisms. The 2027 election is too critical for unanswered questions about the very foundation of our democracy. No excuses. No complacency. No questionable register. INEC must do its job.

Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu is the Spokesperson of the National Presidential Campaign Council of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).