Why SERAP Threatens To Sue INEC

By Tolulope Oke

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened to sue the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  over claims of not allowing Nigerians complete their voters card registration.

This disclosure was made in a letter obtained from its website, dated August 13, 2022, and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare of SERAP.

According to the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed that only 3,444,378 of the 10,487,972 Nigerians who pre-registered online actually finished the process at an INEC physical center, accounting for only 32.8% of all online registrations that were successfully completed.

In the letter, the organization stated that the right to vote entails more than just the ability to cast a ballot; it also includes the right to be given the time and opportunity to complete the registration process.

The advocacy organization also urged INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu to provide 7 million Nigerians who registered to vote online enough time and opportunity to finish the procedure before they lose their chance to exercise their right to vote and face legal repercussions.

SERAP said, “Closing the gates on eligible Nigerians and denying them the time and opportunity to complete their registration cannot preserve trust in the electoral process.

“Denying a significant number of eligible voters the time and opportunity to complete the registration for their PVCs would impair the right to vote of those affected, deny them a voice in the 2023 elections, and lead to disparate and unfair treatment of these voters.

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According to SERAP, the applicants’ purported failure to complete their registration at INEC-designated centers was insufficient justification for their disqualification from the general elections of 2023.

The letter in part reads; “The failure of the applicants to complete their registration may be due to factors entirely outside of their control, especially given the well-documented challenges faced by many Nigerians at registration centres across the country.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP and the affected Nigerians shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.

“Unless they are given a reasonable time and opportunity to complete the registration process, and to obtain their voter cards, these eligible Nigerians will not be able to vote in the 2023 general elections.

“If citizens’ chance to vote is denied, that would amount to violation of their fundamental right to vote, just as it would be if they were prevented from casting any vote at all.