Ahead of the Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) across the federation on August 18, the Plateau State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Mohammed Sadiq, has warned that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would apply strict penalties to offenders who are caught in double registration.

Addressing a broad coalition of political stakeholders, community leaders, and civil society groups in Jos, the state capital, Sadiq stressed that anyone caught registering more than once will not only face legal consequences, but will also be removed entirely from the national voter roll.

“Registration to vote is both a right and a civic responsibility,” Sadiq said, noting that only citizens whose names appear on the electoral register can participate in elections.

He urged all unregistered Nigerians aged 18 and above to take advantage of the forthcoming exercise.

The CVR process will include online pre-registration via INEC’s portal, www.cvr.inecnigeria.org, as well as in-person biometric capture at designated centres.

The exercise will cater to new voters, individuals seeking to transfer their voter records, and those replacing lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Sadiq clarified that the registration drive is not for individuals who are already properly registered, warning that repeat registrations clog the system, waste resources, and could be exploited for electoral malpractice.

He also disclosed that INEC has implemented measures to ensure that non-Nigerians do not participate in the process.

In Plateau State, the REC called on traditional rulers, faith-based leaders, political party officials, and non-governmental organisations to actively mobilise eligible residents.

“Our democracy depends on credible elections, and credible elections begin with a clean register,” he said.

INEC’s reminder comes as preparations intensify for future electoral activities, with the commission seeking to balance voter accessibility with the need to safeguard the process against abuse.