INEC Removes 7,746 Deceased Voters From its Database
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria announced an update regarding the national voter register. In a move aimed at enhancing the integrity of the electoral process, INEC revealed that it has successfully removed 7,746 deceased individuals from the voter register as of December 2022. This action, which spans across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), highlights the commission’s ongoing commitment to maintaining an accurate and reliable voter database.
Victoria Etta-Messi, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC, emphasised the importance of a clean voter register, especially before general elections. “Seven thousand, seven hundred and forty-six deceased persons across the 36 states and the FCT were removed from the National Register of Voters as of December 2022,” she stated. This proactive measure is part of a broader initiative to ensure that the electoral roll reflects only eligible voters, thereby safeguarding the electoral process against fraud and abuse.
INEC’s efforts to clean up the voter register are particularly crucial in light of the challenges faced during the 2023 post-general election review conducted in December 2024. Despite the addition of over 12 million new registrants to the voter roll, the commission encountered significant difficulties in removing deceased individuals. One of the primary challenges cited was the incomplete nature of official death records, which complicated the process of verifying the status of voters.
The commission also acknowledged the issue of double or multiple registrations, which it has been actively addressing. The implementation of the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) has proven beneficial, flagging and removing approximately 2.78 million cases of invalid registrations, representing about 22.6 percent of all new registrants nationwide.
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Concerns over declining voter turnout also emerged during the review. The 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections witnessed a turnout of just 27.5 percent, a noticeable drop from 35.6 percent in 2019. Stakeholders have attributed this decline in part to the inflated voter register, calling for more rigorous efforts to clean it and ensure its accuracy
In response to these concerns, various stakeholders have recommended that INEC strengthen collaborations with other agencies, such as the National Population Commission (NPC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). These partnerships could facilitate the identification and removal of deceased voters from the register. Additionally, some stakeholders suggested suspending individuals who have not participated in the last three elections, requiring them to revalidate their registration.
The removal of 7,746 deceased persons from Nigeria’s voter register marks a significant step towards improving the integrity of the electoral system. While challenges remain, INEC’s proactive measures and the proposed collaborations with relevant agencies signal a commitment to ensuring that every vote counts, ultimately strengthening democracy in Nigeria. As the country looks ahead, the focus on clean and accurate voter registration will be vital in enhancing civic engagement and participation in the democratic process.
Content Credit| Kemi Arowolo
Picture Credit | https://www.nigeriainfo.fm/
