Edo/Ondo Guber: INEC resumes Continuous Voter Registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC), said that
as the elections in the two states of Edo and Ondo approach, it has decided to resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so.

The Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the second regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties.

According to him, those who are registered voters also have the opportunity to transfer their registration from other states of the federation to Edo and Ondo states or from one location to another within the two States.

“Let me reiterate that the CVR is only open to new registrants and those who seek to transfer their registration. Persons who are registered as voters should not attempt to register again as double or multiple registration is illegal.

“Lost or damaged voters’ cards will be replaced during the exercise but this does require fresh registration”.

“Taking into consideration the limited time to the Governorship elections, the Commission has decided to conduct the registration at Ward level and our State headquarters instead of our Local Government offices and a few designated centers as was case in the past. This means that there will be 192 Ward registration centres in Edo State and 203 centres in Ondo State, in addition to our State offices in Benin City and Akure, making a total of 397 walk-in registration centres in the two States”

“There will be no online pre-registration option in the two States because of time constraint. Each centre will be managed by two officials drawn from our regular staff and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). In the next few days, the Commission will commence the training of at least 794 officials for the election”, he added.

In his remark, the National Chairmen of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, charged INEC, leaders of Political Parties, civil society organizations, security agencies, Judiciary, Press and citizens to be firm and decisive in protecting the nation’s democracy and forestall political upheavals as currently experience in some parts of the country.

He equally condemned in strong terms politics of bitterness, do-or-die politics and divisive politics that have tendencies of undermining our emerging democracy.

“It is unacceptable! Politicians must abide by democratic ideals, ethics and ethos, and desist from inflammatory utterances and actions that could impede our constitutional government. More importantly, political parties must adhere strictly by their constitutions in conducting congresses, primaries and conventions”.

“The high expression of interest and nomination fees charged by some political parties should be reviewed despite being internal affairs of the parties. IPAC will continue to engage party leaders on this among; others that will curb imposition of candidates and boost internal democracy as we strive to make Nigeria better”, he said.