The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has revealed that 299 Nigeria voters card have been seized from foreigners.
The electoral commission head said that the retrieval was done in collaboration with Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS.
Mahmood, who revealed this while speaking at Social Media Week Lagos 2018, said as part of its determination to achieve credible election in 2019, the commission is conducting a mop action to retrieve voters card from ineligible persons.
Nigeria's Voter Cards
He said the commission is aware that foreigners parade themselves as Nigerians having fraudulently obtained voters card.
On INEC’s preparation for 2019 election, Mahmood said the commission has created more registration centres to enable all eligible voters get registered.
He added that the total number of registration centres across the country now is 1,446.
Mahmood also stated that the commission would create a level playing field for every political party in the general election while applications of associations wishing to transform into political parties are being considered.
“As at today, March 1, 2018, we have 108 applications from associations seeking registration to become political parties. We are bound to apply commission of the law to register association that meets the requirement,” Mahmood said.
He defended the INEC against accusation that too many parties are being registered, insisting that the commission is acting in accordance with the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the country.
He said, “I've been hearing that we have so many political parties and we are registering more. I say the more the merrier and the commission would continue to register more political parties.”
He, however, noted that any party that does not apply for registration six months before general election date would not be able to participate in the general election.
The INEC boss said he was also about increasing participation of women and youths in the country's politics, as he revealed four parties currently have women as their national chairperson.
Mahmood assured Nigerians that 2019 elections would be free and fair.
