The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the National Identification Number (NIN) is not mandatory for registering eligible voters.
The chairman of the electoral body, Mahmood Yakubu, stated this while addressing Newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
He said as the commission resumes registration of new eligible voters June 28, its decision not to make NIN compulsory is because it is not the only requirement under section 10 of the electoral act.
“I want to make this important clarification. NIN is not going to be made mandatory for voter registration,” Mr Yakubu said. “This is for a simple reason that we are operating on the basis of the law establishing INEC.
“Section 10 of the Electoral Act lists identifications to be presented by prospective registrants for the purpose of voter registration to include birth certificate, national passport, national identity card.
“We cannot single that out and make it mandatory. All the other requirements are requirements of the law and we must apply the law appropriately.
“If you have your national ID card we will register you on the presentation of the card, but we will not make it a mandatory means of identification for the exercise.
“Since the law, the electoral act, does not make it mandatory, it is only one of the many means of identification required,” he added.
