INEC warns against underage, alien registration ahead CVR

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, has cautioned against the registration of underaged individuals and foreigners, saying such actions are punishable offences under the Electoral Act.

The warning is coming ahead of the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise scheduled to commence in August.

Speaking during a sensitization visit to the palace of the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Hammed Adekunle Oyelude Makama, on Wednesday, Agboke called for vigilance and collaboration between different stakeholders.

He emphasised that the registration is free and warned against any attempt to monetise the process.

“Don’t allow minors and underaged to go and register. If caught, it is punishable. Any foreigner living around us cannot register unless they’re legally Nigerians.

“The registration is a free service. Nobody is collecting any kobo,” he added.

Agboke stated that the exercise offered an opportunity for voters to correct errors from previous registrations and warned against double registration.

He disclosed that online registration would begin on August 18, while physical registration and biometric capturing would commence at INEC offices across the state on August 25.

“Double registration is also a punishable offence under the Electoral Act.

“The reason for both processes is to prevent disenfranchisement, which is common on election day,” he explained.

The Osun INEC boss urged the traditional ruler to encourage community members to participate actively in the exercise.

Agboke noted that while the 2026 Osun governorship election is on the horizon, the immediate focus is on the CVR campaign.

“We want Kabiyesi to tell our people to go out and register. Registration is very important. Without PVC, you cannot vote.

“By early 2026, we will visit all traditional rulers because they are key stakeholders of INEC,” he said.

In his remarks, the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Hammed Adekunle Oyelude Makama, commended the initiative and promised the cooperation of traditional institutions.

Oba Oyelude further called on other traditional rulers and politicians in the state to support the voter registration exercise.

“All what you came for is like training the trainer. What will make your job to be felt is what we will do.

“We will carry the advocacy to every resident. We will also call on politicians to cooperate during the exercise. We believe that INEC will carry out this exercise and succeed in it,” he said.

Also, in a visit the Osun State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dr Agboke solicited for the support and cooperation of the corps towards the commencement of the INEC CVR

He also said the visit is to leverage in the cooperation between the two agencies and also to work towards the security of electoral officers during the exercise.

He also appreciated the agency for its previous collaboration and requested continued support for the CVR and the 2026 election.

“We are here to leverage the cooperation between the two agencies and to solicit support for the security of electoral officers during the exercise. Anything can happen that may want to disturb the exercise. We want your men to be around to forestall such,” Agboke said.

In response, the NSCDC Osun Commandant, Sotiyo Emmanuel Igbalawole, assured of the corps’ readiness to support INEC.

“Though the police is the lead agency, part of our mandate is to monitor elections. We will be on ground for the CVR and will direct our Divisional Officers throughout the state to be on the lookout,” he stated.

Commandant Igbalawole said special attention would be paid to the tail end of the registration to ensure smooth operations. “We will be on ground to ensure the success of the 2026 election,” he added.