On Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) proposed the establishment of voter registration centers at Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps and their host communities.
The commission believes that these registration centers will enable IDPs to exercise their voting rights without facing undue difficulties.
Prof. Kunle Ajayi, the National Commissioner and Chairman of Outreach and Partnership Committee at INEC, shared this information during a training session for IDP coordinators on the 2022 regulations and framework for voting by IDPs.
The training program, organized by the All-rights Foundation Africa and funded by the European Union through its Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria, aimed to enhance the participation of IDPs in the electoral process.
In September 2022, INEC reviewed the electoral framework to accommodate voters in IDP camps, in response to the passage of the 2022 Electoral Act and the introduction of new technologies, as stated by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
Ajayi, represented by Dorathy Bello, a committee member of the Framework for Voting by the IDPs, emphasized that the situation of IDPs is a matter of serious concern, as they often endure significant hardships and face multiple challenges on a daily basis.
The National Commissioner noted that based on the obstacles faced by the IDPs, “We must collectively work towards creating an inclusive and enabling environment that encourages and empowers the IDPs to actively participate in the democratic process.
“As a starting point, we advocate the establishment of accessible and well-organised voter registration centre in the IDP camps and host communities.
“This will allow the IDPs to easily register as voters and exercise their right to vote without undue burdens.
“Additionally, as an inclusive Commission, implementation of voter education programmes tailored to the specific needs of IDPs, aiming to inform them about their rights, the electoral process, and the significance of their participation is very crucial.”
Ajayi added that the commission with the collaboration of relevant stakeholders can mobilize resources and expertise to ensure that IDPs are adequately represented and that their interests are safeguarded in the political sphere.
At the event, the Chief Executive Officer, TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, said INEC policies are not known to people, hence the need to train the IDP coordinators.
“An IDP has automatically become a marginalised individual.
“INEC has a lot of policies and frameworks that many people are not even aware of. One of such policies is that of the electoral framework for voters in IDP camps.
“This is our first step of enlightening not only the coordinators but the general public about the role of INEC, and IDPs in the electoral process,” Epelle said.
