The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria’s Oyo State has called on security agencies and community stakeholders to support a mobile voter registration programme aimed at expanding access to electoral participation.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Adeniran Tella, made the call during a consultative meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held in Ibadan on Tuesday.
Professor Tella said the initiative, which will operate between 2 February and 10 April, will rely heavily on the cooperation of civil society organisations, political parties, as well as religious and traditional leaders.
Under the scheme, INEC will rotate its Voter Enrolment Devices (IVED) across selected locations in order to manage challenges arising from the state’s large voter population, numerous polling units and high registration demand.
He noted that the approach would also strengthen security arrangements at registration centres and ensure the protection of electoral officials, equipment and registrants.
The REC emphasised that the programme is intended to reach eligible Nigerians in rural and hard-to-access communities, including first-time voters who have recently turned 18.
He urged security agencies to assist in creating a stable and enabling environment, particularly during the movement of personnel and sensitive equipment between locations.
Professor Tella further called on immigration officers to intensify monitoring in border areas to prevent the registration of non-citizens.
Political parties and leaders of the Inter-Party Advisory Council were encouraged to mobilise supporters to participate in the exercise, especially in remote areas.
He also announced that the ongoing second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration process, which began on 5 January and includes both online and physical registration, will end on 17 April.
Reiterating INEC’s mandate, the REC said the commission remains committed to conducting elections that are free, fair, credible and inclusive.
Representing the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel A. O. Adejumo assured stakeholders that security agencies would work together to maintain a peaceful atmosphere throughout the registration exercise.
