By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has cautioned Nigerians against double registration in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

Amupitan gave the caution during the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with media executive on Wednesday in Abuja.

He warned that anybody caught engaging in double registration would be barred from participating in future elections.

He said that the second phase of the CVR exercise, which was scheduled to span one year and be concluded on Aug. 30, was part of the efforts by INEC 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,” Amupitan said.

On the Federal Capital (FCT) Territory Area Council elections scheduled for Feb. 21, the INEC chairman urged the media to help mobilise the residents to go out and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

“The ongoing PVC distribution in the FCT will end on Feb. 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 credible election, 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.

Amupitan also said that on Feb. 21, the commission would conduct by-elections in Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State.

He explained that the vacancies in Ahoada East II and Khana II arose from the resignation and death of the elected members, respectively.

“In Ahoada East II, voting by 41,085 registered voters will take place in 87 (eighty-seven) polling units (PUs) across six wards, while in Khana II, 71,865 registered voters are expected to vote in 155 polling units across eight wards.

“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 (PUs) across 13 wards, while in Ungogo constituency, 205,418 registered voters will vote in 384 polling units (PUs) across 11 wards.

“Ten political parties are participating in both bye-elections,” he said.

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

“In addition, the Osun State Governorship Election is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18, For that election, the third activity in the approved timetable is presently underway,” Amupitan said.

In his remarks, the President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Abdullahi, pledged the union’s continued support to INEC on electoral processes.

“We are ever ready to continue to create more space for the election processes, election campaign and other election activities in our media organisations across the country,” he said.

Abdullahi appealed to journalists to always prioritise issues of national security and national interest in their reportage, including election coverage and reporting. (NAN)

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