The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a fresh warning to eligible voters, cautioning them against engaging in multiple registrations, which it described as a serious electoral offence under Nigerian law.
Speaking to journalists in Yenagoa on Monday, Mallam Isah Ehimeakhe, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Bayelsa State, stressed that the commission’s Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) is fully capable of detecting duplicate registrations.
“Once you have been issued a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) or have previously completed the registration process, there is absolutely no need to register again,” Ehimeakhe said. “Attempting to do so constitutes double registration, which is a criminal offence punishable under Section 114(b) of the Electoral Act 2022.”
The REC noted that penalties for the offence include fines, imprisonment, or both, and urged Nigerians to adhere strictly to the guidelines laid down by the commission.
While reaffirming that voter registration is both a fundamental right and a civic responsibility, Ehimeakhe called on Nigerians who have attained the age of 18 and are yet to register to do so promptly.
“No Nigerian citizen will be denied their right to register and vote. However, the law must be respected by all. INEC remains committed to conducting transparent and credible elections, and this process begins with a clean and reliable voter register,” he said.
He also gave assurances that security agencies and other partners are working in close coordination with INEC to ensure that the registration process is safe, secure, and fair.
The warning comes as Nigeria prepares for the next phase of its electoral cycle, with nationwide voter registration drives underway in anticipation of the 2027 general elections.
