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Clarifies that citizens under 18 remain ineligible for voter registration
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Says voter registration is key to election integrity
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Physical registration begins August 25 across Yobe LGAs
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that the minimum age for voter registration remains 18 years under the Electoral Act.
The clarification was made by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Yobe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, during an advocacy visit to the Emir of Bade, Alhaji Abubakar Umar-Suleiman, in Gashua on Thursday.
The REC was reacting to a question by the Emir on whether citizens aged 16 or 17 could pre-register for the 2027 elections. Abdullahi stated that “only eligible citizens of 18 years and above are allowed to register and vote under the Electoral Act.”
He emphasised that voter registration was a crucial part of the electoral process that could strengthen or undermine the credibility of elections.
Abdullahi noted that INEC is mandated by law to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the success of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and to update the register ahead of elections.
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He disclosed that online voter registration commenced on August 18, while physical registration will begin on August 25 at INEC’s headquarters in Damaturu and centres across the 17 local government areas of Yobe State.
According to him, the exercise targets residents who have never registered, those who recently turned 18, voters with Permanent Voter Card (PVC) issues, and those wishing to change their polling units.
