By Makutu Manneh
The Independent Electoral Commission said on Thursday that it has identified more than 2,000 suspected cases of double registration during the country’s ongoing supplementary voter registration exercise, raising concerns about compliance with electoral rules despite an extensive public awareness campaign.
The commission’s chairman, Joseph Colley, disclosed the figures at a multi-stakeholder forum, where election officials and civil society representatives gathered to assess progress ahead of upcoming polls.
Mr. Colley said the supplementary registration drive was intended to accommodate first-time voters and those who missed the 2021 registration period. Instead, he noted, some individuals already on the voter roll had attempted to register again—an act prohibited under the country’s electoral laws.
“This amounts to double registration, which is a serious offense,” he said, emphasizing that the commission had invested heavily in voter education to discourage such practices.
Despite the irregularities, Mr. Colley described the overall conduct of the exercise as largely effective. He said registration teams deployed nationwide had carried out their duties “in a very professional and conscientious manner,” with only limited operational setbacks reported.
Among the challenges cited were malfunctioning printer heads at several registration centers and an isolated case in which a team incorrectly configured the registration date. According to the commission, those issues were quickly identified and resolved.
Mr. Colley said the commission remained committed to safeguarding the credibility of the process, assuring stakeholders that measures were being taken to address anomalies and ensure the integrity of the voter register.
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