Consider NIN, Passport As Voting Alternatives, Ogun Senator Tells INEC

 

Senator Solomon Adeola, representing Ogun West, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider alternative forms of identification to prevent voter disenfranchisement.

He suggested accepting additional IDs, such as the National Identity Number (NIN) and passports, would make the electoral process more inclusive and transparent.

While praising the use of the NIN and driver’s licenses in the ongoing Ogun State local government elections, Adeola emphasized that this approach could prevent voters from being excluded due to challenges with the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC).

He stated, “I want to strongly believe that if we mitigate against this idea of disenfranchising people from casting their vote for one reason or the other, I will believe that it is not a bad idea to use other means of identification.”

However, he clarified that for such methods to be legally recognized, amendments to the Electoral Act would be necessary.

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He added, “The only thing is that there should be a lot of processes into this that will make it more legal, and that can show to the whole world the level of using it transparent. As far as that process is concerned, this will convince Nigerians that going forward into the future, aside from the PVCs, we can also use other legal means of identification, like a passport or the NIN card.

“But as I have said, what is recognised by law as we speak today is the PVC. So, if we are going to amend, the Electoral Act has to accommodate all of these that have not yet been done.”

“So for now, we stand for INEC to introduce this; it is a way not to disenfranchise the people from exercising their fundamental human rights. It is the right step in the right direction, to an extent. But for me, from the point of view of a lawmaker, I know that the right thing has to be done for that process to be recognised by law.”

Adeola also commended the peaceful election process in his senatorial district and across Ogun State, noting the impressive voter turnout and the efficient organization by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC).