NIMC: INEC opposes NIN as requirement for voter registration

- INEC has said that it would not support the plan by the FG to make NIN compulsory for the election process

- Isa Pantami, the minister of communication and digital economy, had said that the policy has been backed by law

- The INEC, however, denied the claim by Pantami over the legality of the policy

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Following the proposed use of the National Identification Number (NIN) as a requirement for voter registration in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reacted.

TheCable reports that the commission said the move is not backed by law, adding that it does not share its powers to register voters with any other government agency.

Legit.ng gathered that the federal government had announced last week that NIN is compulsory for most government transactions, including the opening of bank accounts, payment of taxes and voter registration.

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The minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Pantami, who announced this when he hosted the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), had claimed the policy is backed by law.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the federal government stated arrangements were ongoing to replace the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) with the National Identity Numbers (NIN).

It was reported that the minister of communications and digital economy who made this known shortly after a tour of telecoms operators and NIN licensees in Abuja, said President Muhammadu Buhari has been briefed on the on-going NIN registrations.

Pantami said the president was happy with the conduct of the exercise so far, adding that he had also briefed the National Economic Sustainability Committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the imperative of replacing BVN with NIN.

He argued that while BVN was only for accounts holders with various banks, the NINs are for all Nigerians irrespective of their status.

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The minister also visited the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) registration centre in Gwarinpa, the zonal headquarters of MTN, Glo Mobile and Airtel in Maitama as well as a Private operator, OMNL, Nigeria.

He was accompanied by the executive vice-chairman of NCC, Prof Garba Danbatta; director-general of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr Aliyu Aziz.

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In another report, the NIMC warned Nigerians not to patronise fraudsters claiming to sell the NIN enrolment form.

The agency in a disclaimer signed by Aliyu Aziz, director-general of NIMC, said it has not authorised the sale of NIN enrolment forms.

NIMC in a tweet stated that unscrupulous persons are parading themselves as its agents to extort money from members of the public.

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Wale Akinola is a passionate journalist and researcher. He works as a senior political/current affairs editor at Legit.ng. He holds both B.A and Master’s degree in Communications and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan. He also holds a Diploma Certificate in Peace Journalism. He has over 15 years of work experience in both print and online media. He derives joy in keeping the public abreast of current happenings locally and internationally through his writings.

Source: Legit.ng