VOTER REGISTRATION: 209 additional registration machines deployed to South-East by INEC

Image: Guardian

The Nigeria electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reportedly made additional 209 registration machines available to five South-East states, Lagos and Kano to ease up registration processes.

The decision to deploy additional machine is in response to the surge in the number of citizens who have indicated interest to register for PVCs, the Commission added.

Barr. Festus Okoye, who is the Chairman of INEC's, Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this  on Friday, June 10, 2022.

The INEC image maker, stated that the commission was aware of the challenges many Nigerians are facing across the country, particularly in the South-East Geopolitical zone, which is experiencing a sudden surge of people who had now shown interest to acquire the PVC.

Okoye said, "Consequently, the Commission convened an urgent meeting with all the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Thursday 9th June 2022 to review the situation so that eligible Nigerians who wish to register are able to do so.

"The necessity to urgently deploy more voter enrollment machines to ease the congestion at the registration centers was identified as a priority.

In response, the Commission has immediately released additional 209 machines deployed mainly to the five South-Eastern States, Lagos and Kano where the pressure is most acute."

Barrister Okoye added that INEC will monitor the situation over the next few days and will meet again to review the progress of the exercise to ensure that no eligible Nigerian is disenfranchised from the registration exercise.

"Every step will be taken and all options will be explored to ensure that eligible Nigerians are given the opportunity to register as voters.

 "The Commission appeals for patience and understanding of all citizens. Every Nigerian who is 18 years of age and above has the constitutional right to register and vote in any part of the country he/she resides without let or hindrance.

"The sudden surge is an affirmation of the increasing confidence Nigerians have in our electoral process. The Commission will continue to ensure that this confidence is sustained."

On the call by prominent  Nigerians including Peter Obi, to extend the registration deadline, which is June 30, 2022, the Commission however was silent about that.

All fingers will remain crossed until the Commission has monitored the impact of the deployment of the additional 209 machines.

 

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