The Independent National Electoral Commission and Boundaries (INECB) have reported facing challenges related to verifying the age of voters during the ongoing voter registration process for the Lower House elections in the Banadir region, which began on the 15th of this month.

Abdishakur Abib, a member of the commission, stated that the main challenge they have encountered is confirming the age of voters. He explained that some individuals, who are under 18 years old, are attempting to register, but the commission is working to obtain official documentation to verify their age.

He noted that the verification process includes checking whether the individual has an ID card, passport, public registration certificate, or confirmation from local elders and staff present at the registration site.

“If we find that a person is under the age of 18, and it is confirmed by the local elders and staff, we will not register ,” said Abdishakur Abib.

The challenges faced by the commission come amid earlier statements that voter registration does not require specific documents. Elders or community members can confirm the person’s identity, even without formal documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or public registration certificate, all of which should indicate the person’s age.