INEC chair Joash Amupitan has warned Nigerians against registering twice during the Continuous Voter Registration.

Mr Amupitan gave the warning during INEC’s quarterly consultative meeting with media executives on Wednesday in Abuja. He warned that anybody caught engaging in double registration would be barred from participating in future elections.

Mr Amupitan said that the second phase of the CVR, scheduled to span one year and be concluded on August 30, was part of INEC’s efforts to ensure that every eligible citizen was afforded the opportunity to register and vote.

“However, those who engage in double registration will be identified, removed from the voters’ register and barred from participating in future elections.

“Double registration is against the law, and INEC will no longer condone it. Nobody should register twice because our system will detect it.

“We will not just detect it; those involved in double registration will be removed from the register and disenfranchised,” Mr Amupitan said.

Ahead of the Abuja council elections scheduled for February 21, the INEC chairman urged the media to help mobilise residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards.

“The ongoing PVC distribution in the FCT will end on February 10, and we do not want anyone to be disenfranchised.

“Also, let’s work together to sensitise the public, particularly political party members, to refrain from hate speech, vote buying and violence during campaigns, and to conduct their activities strictly within the framework of the law,” he said.

While reiterating the commission’s commitment to a credible election, Mr Amupitan sought media support in urging the National Assembly to expedite action on the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act. He also urged the media to rise up against misinformation and disinformation so as to protect the sanctity of the country’s electoral process.

The INEC chairman said that the strongest electoral systems could be undermined by misinformation, misinterpretation, deliberate distortion and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).

“We, therefore, urge you to promote accurate reporting at all times. Our official website and all digital channels are veritable and authoritative points of contact for the media,” he added.

Mr Amupitan also said that on February 21, INEC would conduct by-elections in Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies in Rivers. He explained that the vacancies in Ahoada East II and Khana II resulted from the resignations and deaths of the elected members, respectively.

“Similarly, by-elections will be conducted on the same day for Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies of Kano State as a result of the death of the two serving members.

“In the Kano Municipal constituency, 330,228 registered voters will vote in 630 polling units across 13 wards, while in Ungogo constituency, 205,418 registered voters will vote in 384 polling units across 11 wards. Ten political parties are participating in both bye-elections,” said the INEC chief.

Mr Amupitan also disclosed that eight out of the 13 activities outlined for the Ekiti governorship election slated for June 20 had already been completed.

“In addition, the Osun state governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 18. For that election, the third activity in the approved timetable is presently underway,” Mr Amupitan said.

(NAN)