STEER CLEAR: INEC warns non-citizens against participation in ongoing voter registration exercise

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned non-citizens against participating in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across the country.

The warning was issued on Thursday in Bauchi by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Umar Ibrahim, during an interactive session held ahead of the commencement of Phase Two of the CVR in the state.

Ibrahim commended the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security for detecting a non-citizen who was mistakenly registered during Phase One.
He said the Commission has already initiated the statutory processes required to address the irregularity in line with the law.

“As Phase Two progresses, the Commission urges all stakeholders to intensify sensitisation, mobilisation and public enlightenment to ensure eligible citizens register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards,” the REC said.

Ibrahim added that voter registration remains a fundamental component of the electoral process, hence the need to engage stakeholders ahead of the resumption of the Phase Two exercise.

Also speaking, a representative of the Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Bauchi State, Danladi Abdulkadir, stressed that no non-citizen is permitted to vote or be voted for in Nigeria.

He called on citizens to report suspected non-citizens to the relevant authorities.

Phase One of the CVR was conducted from August 18 to December 10, 2025.

During the period, INEC recorded significant improvements in voter registration, voter record management and Permanent Voter Card distribution across Bauchi State.

Phase Two of the nationwide CVR commenced on January 5, 2026, and is scheduled to run until April 17, 2026.