…says ‘it’s recipe for chaos’
Opposition African Democratic Congress, on Wednesday, asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to clarify reports of a planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, warning that such a move could disrupt the electoral process.
ADC in a statement described the alleged plan as a recipe for chaos if implemented less than a year before the next general elections.
ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party had received reports of a leaked memo suggesting that INEC may require already registered voters to revalidate their details.
“We call on INEC to immediately confirm to Nigerians whether this memo is genuine,” Abdullahi said, adding, “If true, the plan must be rejected outright as a recipe for chaos.”
ADC warned that asking millions of Nigerians to repeat part of the voter registration process so close to elections could discourage participation.
“To now require them to return and ‘revalidate’ their registration is, in effect, to ask them not to bother at all,” he said.
The opposition coalition party also raised concerns about citizens who may not be able to travel to designated centres for the exercise.
“Are they to lose their right to vote simply because they cannot make it back within a narrow window?” Abdullahi asked.
According to the ADC, such a policy could worsen voter apathy and reduce turnout, which may affect the credibility of the elections.
“At a time when voter apathy is already a major challenge, any policy that adds new barriers to participation will only suppress turnout further,” the statement said.
It further alleged that confusion arising from the process could favour the ruling party, cautioning INEC against actions that may create such perceptions.
“No matter its stated intentions, INEC must be careful not to lend itself to accusations of helping the ruling party rig the elections before the votes are even cast,” Abdullahi stated.
ADC also questioned why such a major exercise was being discussed through a leaked memo, reportedly just days before its proposed start.
“For an exercise of this magnitude, Nigerians deserve transparency, not ambiguity,” the party said.
It urged INEC to abandon the alleged plan and reassure Nigerians of its commitment to a credible and inclusive electoral process.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford avoidable disruptions. The right to vote must not be subjected to last-minute administrative experiments,” the statement added.
