Two weeks after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shut its online portal to signal the end of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the commission to “immediately give seven million Nigerians who were not able to complete their registration process online on time before the closure of the portal the opportunity to complete the process, so that they can obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and exercise their right to vote in the 2-23 general elections
INEC had disclosed upon the close of the CVR exercise on July 31, that out of 10,487,972 Nigerians who carried out their pre-registration online, only 3,444,378, representing 32.8% completed the process at a physical centre.
In the letter dated 13 August 2022, which was addressed to the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yabubu, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The right to vote is not merely the right to cast a ballot but also the right to be given the time and opportunity to complete the registration process, so that the right can be meaningfully and effectively exercised.”
SERAP noted that closing the gates on eligible Nigerians and denying them the time and opportunity to complete their registration cannot preserve trust in the electoral process.”
According to SERAP, “Denying a significant number of eligible voters the time and opportunity to complete the registration for their PVCs would impair the right to vote of those affected, deny them a voice in the 2023 elections, and lead to disparate and unfair treatment of these voters.”
The letter, read in part, “The failure of the applicants to complete their registration may be due to factors entirely outside of their control, especially given the well-documented challenges faced by many Nigerians at registration centres across the country.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP and the affected Nigerians shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“Unless they are given a reasonable time and opportunity to complete the registration process, and to obtain their voter cards, these eligible Nigerians will not be able to vote in the 2023 general elections.”
“If citizens’ chance to vote is denied, that would amount to violation of their fundamental right to vote, just as it would be if they were prevented from casting any vote at all.”
“The alleged failure of the applicants to complete their registration at INEC designated centres are not sufficiently weighty to justify their exclusion from the 2023 general elections.”
“This severe vote deprivation cannot be justified by any perceived considerations of saving time, especially because Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that ‘the registration of voters, updating and revision of the Register of Voters shall not stop not later than 90 days before any election covered by this Act.’”
“By refusing the over seven million Nigerians the opportunity to complete the registration for their PVCs, INEC have unfairly, unreasonably, and unjustifiably denied them the opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner as to the reasons for not completing their registration.”
“Allowing eligible Nigerians to complete their registration would improve citizens’ participation in the electoral process and public confidence in the electoral system, as well as the ability of INEC to discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibility fairly, justly, and reasonably.”
The organization noted further that the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) provides in Section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
“Similarly, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance guarantee the right to political participation, including the right to vote.
“According to a report released by INEC, out of 10,487,972 Nigerians who carried out their pre-registration online, only 3,444,378 Nigerians representing 32.8 percent, completed the process at a physical centre. 7,043,594 Nigerians carried out their pre-registration but are yet to complete the process at a physical centre.
“This represents over 67 percent of those who began their registration process online
“The over seven million Nigerians have already completed their registration online, that is, via the INEC online portal by providing their biodata and required documents.”
“According to the INEC process, what is outstanding for the applicants to complete the registration for their PVCs is to visit INEC designated centres for their biometric to be captured.
