Hundreds of youths yesterday stormed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, protesting the alleged disenfranchisement of Muslim women in Hijab (head cover) in the ongoing voter registration.

The youths from some higher institutions and local governments claimed that the women were being prevented from registering at some centres.

They carried placards with the inscriptions: “Muslim women are Nigerians” don’t Disenfranchise them; Our women have been victimised and told to remove their Hijab in several parts of Lagos State”; “Hijab is not a barrier to voter registration!!!”; “Muslim women say no to gender discrimination!!!; Muslim women denied registration at Agbado; Oworosonki; Mushin; Surulere; Isolo; Bariga; Iwaya excetera”; “Social justice for women wearing Hijab!!!”

Under the aegis of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, the youths chanted Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!! Lailaha ilallahu and sang Hijab is our culture on their way to the INEC office.

They were received by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola and Administrative Secretary, Alhaji Muhammed Umar.

The leader of the group, Alhaji Qasim Badrudeen, and Head of Public Relations and Media Affairs, Abdul Hakeem Ogunmuyiwa criticised the attitude of some INEC ad-hoc Registration officers (ARO) who refused to register women in Hijab.

Badrudeen, restating the commitment of MSSN to a hitch-free election, bemoaned the disenfranchisement of the alleged women.

He said: “The importance of the ongoing registration to the conduct of the forthcoming elections cannot be over-emphasised. It remains the only means by which every Nigerian can participate in the choice of credible leaders for the country. However, it is heart-breaking to note that some registration officials are taking laws into their hands by instructing Muslim women with Hijab to remove such before they could be registered. We can cite several cases where such illegal instructions had taken place in Lagos since the exercise commenced.

“Places where we have recorded these anomalies include: Ogundimu Primary School, Iju; Adeola Bus-Stop, AIT Road, Agbado; Iju-Aga Primary School III, Akewusola Street, Oworonshoki; Adeife Primary School, Ifelodun Street, off Odunsi, Bariga; Audu Baale Street, Iwaya; Herbert Macaulay Street, Ebute-Meta and Joke Adunni Street, Orile-Iganmu, Ladoke Akintola Street, GRA, Lagos.

Ogunmola hailed the protesters for conducting themselves in peaceful manner.

He regretted the delay in addressing the issue, promising to order electoral officers in the local governments to warn the ad-hoc officers to stop discriminating against women in Hijab.

“I can assure you that nobody gave such directive. If such dressing is allowed for passport, we have no choice to allow people with such dressing,” he said.


http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/25997.html

disgraceful treatment, but it shouldn't be a surprise

They definitely have to be registered so they can demonstrate their fundamental human right to vote.
But I hope they are aware that the hijab, if it's the type that covers the face, will have to be removed in order to take their photographic images. As the photo record is one of the main security measures apart from fingerprints, which will be heavily depended upon in order to make the electoral process a meaningful one.

If the INEC staff registering are youth corpers like we were told , i find this really disgusting for educated graduates to refuse to register their fellow Nigerians because of their dressing. I fear for the futre of Nigeria if our educated young ones wold act in this manner!

lets not judge the inec staff unfairly.who doesnt know that the hijab wearing women dont uncover their face or any part of their body in public.how can they be registered without their photos n finger-prints?they should do the right thing,simple.

udennaa:

lets not judge the inec staff unfairly.who doesnt know that the hijab wearing women dont uncover their face or any part of their body in public.how can they be registered without their photos n finger-prints?they should do the right thing,simple.

If this is the case then the women and those protesting for them need to find a compromise.

I think there is a small confusion here, Professor Jega should handle it promptly.

If they can't remove their hijabs for their picture to be taken, they should head back to their homes.

damn you idyats are os ignorant, look here

[img]http://2.bp..com/_2OGCKoTykxw/SobH8BMF7cI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/Ugdqf4B98ZM/s400/suaad-hagi-mohamud-is-accused-of-being-an-imposter.jpg[/img]

namfav:

damn you idyats are os ignorant, look here

[img]http://2.bp..com/_2OGCKoTykxw/SobH8BMF7cI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/Ugdqf4B98ZM/s400/suaad-hagi-mohamud-is-accused-of-being-an-imposter.jpg[/img]

I don't understand these pictures. So she took off her hijab for the third picture and has it off for the fourth I guess.

That's how they are supposed to appear - with faces exposed!

udennaa:

lets not judge the inec staff unfairly.who doesnt know that the hijab wearing women dont uncover their face or any part of their body in public.how can they be registered without their photos n finger-prints?they should do the right thing,simple.

How do they get passports if they dont uncover their faces, lets be real as the women have never said they dont uncover their hands. The issue here is they would not remove their hijab which shows the face. Why would inec corpers make rules that are non existent.

Lagosboy:

How do they get passports if they dont uncover their faces, lets be real as the women have never said they dont uncover their hands. The issue here is they would not remove their hijab which shows the face. Why would inec corpers make rules that are non existent.

How will they be registered then ?

In the the Gulf Area/Saudi ,women remove their hijabs in private for female officers to do the needful.

If provision for this special needs can't be put in place . .  .sorry o !

Personally,I believe women that want their faces fully covered should follow their hearts & stay at home. You can't eat your cake and have it.
Some even want to work in corporate offices & its just plain obvious this is almost impossible !.

If you really believe there are rewards for you for keeping your face for only your family members & husband,then stay with them.

I don't understand why there is so much racket about this.
When you want to take pictures for international passport, do you leave your head covered?
When you want to apply for American Visa Lottery, do you keep you head covered?
If they need privacy, why not ask for that? Instead of making noise that is uncalled for.

Very annoying rubbish. Mscheew.

the three women in the picture are not the same person. she is not bad looking.

The first picture is the correct person. The other two may  not be the same person. they have the same name, but even thier weight are not the same.
one weight 170,

the other weight 169.

the first and last may be related.  i cant see the second very well. she look like she bleach her sick. she look older. she may be the same person. but gain weight or may not be the same person.

l

j