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INEC to resume voter registration, says diaspora voting hampered by law

The actualisation [of diaspora voting] requires amendment to the constitution and the Electoral Act.

• November 4, 2020
Prof. Yakub Mahmood
INEC chariman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu [Photo Credit: Twitter]

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it will begin another round of voter registration in the first quarter of 2021. The commission also says the adoption of diaspora voting can only be effected when enabling laws are passed.

INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, spoke with reporters in Abuja on Wednesday after appearing before the senate committee on INEC to defend the commission’s 2021 budget.

“We will resume voter registration in the first quarter of 2021. And once we resume, it will be continuous for one and half years, at least until six months to the next general election,” Mr. Yakubu said.

On diaspora voting, he said the Commission is desirous to give Nigerians abroad the right to vote, noting that the actualisation requires amendment to the constitution and the Electoral Act.

“We have already worked out the document, once the law is amended, we can roll out.

“We are ready, we have had several meetings with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) but we can’t go beyond what the law provides,” he said.

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