Commission records over 41,000 new voters in Bauchi during Phase I, urges vigilance in Phase II
Bauchi, Nigeria – 22nd January, 2026 – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to non-citizens to desist from participating in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across the country.
The Bauchi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Umar Ibrahim, delivered the warning during an interactive session in Bauchi ahead of the commencement of Phase II of the CVR. He commended the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security for identifying a non-citizen who was erroneously registered during Phase I, noting that statutory processes have already begun to rectify the anomaly.
“As Phase II progresses, the Commission enjoins all stakeholders to continue to engage actively in voter sensitisation, mobilisation and public enlightenment, to ensure that all eligible citizens avail themselves of the opportunity to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards,” Ibrahim said.
Immigration Service Reiterates Warning
The representative of the Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Bauchi State, Danladi Abdulkadir, stressed that no non-citizen is permitted to vote or be voted for in Nigeria. He urged citizens to report suspected non-citizens attempting to register to the appropriate authorities.
Phase I of the CVR exercise, conducted between August 18 and December 10, 2025, recorded significant progress:
41,973 new voters registered (22,188 males and 19,785 females)
1,888 Permanent Voter Cards collected out of 37,658 uncollected PVCs, leaving 35,770 outstanding
5,298 voter record updates, 3,350 reviews, 5,847 transfers, and 1,336 replacements of defaced PVCs
101 Persons with Disabilities registered
Phase II Timeline and Adjustments
Phase II of the CVR commenced nationwide on January 5, 2026 and will run until April 17, 2026. Following a review of Phase I, INEC identified challenges such as distance to registration centres, overcrowding, security concerns, and difficult terrain in some LGAs.
To address these, INEC approved the rotation of Voter Enrolment Devices among Registration Areas within each local government for 50 days (February 2 April 10, 2026), with the final week of registration to be conducted at respective LGA offices. The rotation schedules are tailored to polling unit numbers, voter population, terrain, and anticipated turnout, ensuring greater access, efficiency, and inclusiveness.
INEC emphasized that voter registration remains the bedrock of Nigeria’s electoral process. With Phase II underway, the Commission has called on stakeholders, security agencies, and citizens to remain vigilant, ensuring that only eligible Nigerians participate in the exercise.
Published by Alphapressmedia
