2023: INEC Targets 100m Voters

By Akinwale Kasali

As the 2023 General Election approaches, the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it is targeting over 100 million people on its voter register for the 2023 general elections.

The Electoral Commission had disclosed that it discovered 51,108 double registrations in the recently concluded  Anambra State Governorship election that saw the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Candidate, Charles Soludo, triumph at the polls.

INEC said that the deployment of technology has helped to reduce electoral malpractices.

INEC Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye and Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the Commission’s Chairman, made the statement at a world press conference in Lagos.

Oyekanmi, who explained the purpose of the interaction, said: “The current overpopulation, according to the 2019 figures, is 84,004,084, excluding the ongoing Continous Voter Registration.

“Before 2023, INEC is targeting over 100 million voters as more Nigerians continue to respond to the voter registration.”

He urged the media to offer constructive criticisms and remain a willing partner in democratic development.

Nigeria is notorious for low voter turn out during elections. Not more than 30 million people, nationwide cast their votes during elections. They include under-aged voters, especially, in the North.