INEC reports its officials to security agencies over ‘illegal registration’ in Taraba

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has discovered the registration of ineligible voters in Taraba state.

The commission said it has commenced the process of sanitising the voter register.

It also said it has reported the matter to security agencies in the country for investigation and “possible prosecution of all found to have been involved, including INEC staff.”

Fabian Vwamhi, head of voter education and publicity in Taraba, said this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

He said the alleged act is “not only contrary to INEC’s guidelines for registration but is also a violation of the Electoral Act.”

“Following its laid down processes, INEC Taraba office has discovered that some ineligible voters have been registered in the ongoing CVR exercise,” the statement read.

“Consequently, the Taraba state office has flagged these illegal registrations for removal from the voter register.

“In addition, it has queried the electoral officer as well as the registration officer for the centre.

“It has informed the headquarters of the commission in Abuja and drawn the attention of security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution of all found to have been involved, including INEC staff.”

Last year, the commission sacked its staff discovered to have been involved in the alleged double registration of Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state.