INEC Removes 229 Aliens from Voter Register

Ololade Adeyanju/

The Independent National Electoral Commission said it had removed the names of 229 foreigners from the voter register.

INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, stated this in Abuja today during a consultative meeting with security agencies.

Mahmud said the aliens had registered and obtained voter cards while pretending to be Nigerians.

He said INEC was able to detect the anomaly through the information provided by the Nigerian Immigration Service.

Mahmud stated: “I am happy to report that INEC has been able to remove from the Voter Register, the names of 299 aliens who registered on false pretence that they were Nigerians.This was done on the basis of information received from the Nigeria Immigration Service.”

He also reiterated the commitment of the commission to ensuring that all unqualified persons are removed from the voter register before the 2019 general elections.

According him, the categories of unqualified persons include those below the statutory age of 19, aliens and those registered in absentia.

INEC recently announced plans to investigate allegations of under age registration and voting in some parts of the north, especially Kano.