By George M.O. Williams
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has in a press release put out on Friday September 9, 2022, warned citizens to desist from any attempts to present fake identification documents in the ongoing voter registration process.
The admonition came after the attention of the Authority was drawn to attempts made by some Sierra Leoneans to present fake identification Documents (Birth Certificates, NCRA Citizenship and Registration Certificates etc.) which are among other credentials requested by the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) for one to be eligible to be registered for voting.
The Authority added that it has engaged the Electoral Commission on the attempts and has committed itself to supporting the Electoral Commission with the verification of identification certificates originating from the Authority.
“Accordingly, the general public is hereby informed that the Authority will continue to verify identity credentials presented for either Voter Registration or other purposes from its identity Management System (DMS) holding records or citizens and other residents following which, the Electoral Commission or an Institution seeking such verification will be duly informed about the outcome of every verification for appropriate action,” NCRA said in the release.
The Authority reminded the public that it is offence to supply false or misleading information for registration pursuant to Section 65 (3) of the NCRA Act 2021 and emphasized that any attempt to manipulate personal identification records covering all age brackets will be traced by them.