…insists Structural issues contribute to voter apathy

By Olayinka Ajayi

The Political Action Committee of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group Think Yoruba First ,TYF-PAC, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission ,INEC, to simplify the voter registration process.

In an open letter to INEC, Director of the Committee, Bukola Adeniji, noted that the group conveyed feedback from grassroots voter registration and civic engagement activities conducted across multiple communities.

According to her, “Our field operations revealed that Nigeria’s current voter registration process is unnecessarily cumbersome and alienating to a large segment of eligible voters. The existing two-step registration process—online pre-registration followed by mandatory in-person biometric capture—creates a significant barrier to participation. In practice, the requirement for physical biometric capture has become a major bottleneck that discourages otherwise willing citizens from completing registration.

“Nigeria already maintains a robust National Identification Number (NIN) system. When properly secured and integrated, the NIN should be sufficient for voter identification and verification purposes. We believe INEC should urgently review its reliance on in-person biometric capture and move toward simplified, technology-enabled alternatives.

“Our field findings show that: Many citizens express strong enthusiasm to vote but are unable to complete registration due to time, mobility, and economic constraints. Traders, artisans, and informal workers cannot afford to leave their shops or livelihoods to attend INEC registration centers. The online pre-registration process is particularly hostile to low-literacy and digitally underserved populations, who constitute a significant portion of Nigeria’s voting bloc. Voter registrations in remote and rural areas are particularly challenging and limited due to lack of access to internet and difficult access to INEC officials. A large number of registrants complete the first stage of registration but are unable to complete the second stage. Even among those who successfully complete both stages, many report prolonged delays or non-receipt of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), despite repeated efforts.

“These structural issues contribute directly to voter apathy and exclusion. Based on these observations, we respectfully urge INEC to reconsider and reform the voter registration framework to make it more accessible, inclusive, and efficient. Such reforms would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s democracy by empowering more eligible citizens to participate in the electoral process.

“We urgently recommend consideration and implementation of: Introduction of same-day voter registration, including same-day verification and confirmation. Expansion of voter registration locations, including manned INEC registration desks in neighborhood commercial hubs, banks and financial institutions, government offices, and other public service centers with high foot traffic. Full online voter registration and verification, with instant confirmation, drawing on precedents from jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom and the United States. Enhanced PVC delivery mechanisms, modeled after the improved Nigeria passport home-delivery system. Digital voter verification at polling units, eliminating the need for voters to physically present PVCs. Year-round voter registration, without restrictive portal windows or special registration periods. Formal support and accreditation for non-profit civic organizations assisting citizens who are digitally underserved or non-literate, including alternative registration methods for such populations.

“We remain committed to expanding civic participation and are actively building a verified three-million-voter engagement database to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, in support of voter education and democratic accountability.

“Nigeria’s democracy can only be strengthened when access to participation is broad, fair, and practical.

“We remain available for structured engagement with INEC on these matters.”