'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo states ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections, restoration of grants to political parties were among the issues raised at the quarterly consultative meeting of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with political parties.
The national chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu while welcoming leaders of political parties to the event today announced the commission's readiness to resume Continuous Voters Registration in the two states to enable unregistered voters and those who wish do inter-state transfer to be part of the election.
He warned against double registration as the exercise kicks off simultaneously from Monday 27th May 2024 to Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 9.00am to 3.00pm daily including the weekend in both states. He equally appealed to political parties and other stakeholders to mobilise prospective registrants for the exercise on time.
"As the elections in the two States approach, the Commission has decided to resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two States to enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so. Similarly, 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 not require fresh registration. The CVR in Edo and Ondo States will take place simultaneously from Monday 27th May 2024 to Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 9.00am to 3.00pm daily including the weekend.
"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 exercise. The locations of the registration centres as well as other relevant information have been compiled in a detailed 28-page document included in your folders for this meeting. The same information will be uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information shortly.
"The Commission therefore appeals to political parties and other stakeholders to join us in mobilising prospective registrants for the exercise, particularly on the need to register early and not wait until the deadline approaches when the registration centres are inundated by eleventh hour registrants.
"In addition to the registration of voters, the Commission will also make available the uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for collection during the CVR. In the coming days, the list of uncollected PVCs will be published in our offices in the two States and simultaneously uploaded to our website. Again, we encourage those who have not collected their PVCs in the two States to seize the opportunity to do so" he said.
Responding, the chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and Allied People's Movement (APM) National Chairman, Yusuf M. Dantalle expressed the worry of political parties over low voters turnout stressing the need to reinstate annual grants to political parties to ensure robust sensitization and mobilization of voters.
He pointed that it was not a coincidence that the highest voters turnout took place in the 2003 election when political parties received grants from government.
Dantalle said: "We are deeply concerned by the low voters turnout in recent years particularly in the 2023 general election. It calls for concerted effort by all stakeholders in the electoral process. For democracy to succeed, it is very important that eligible citizens are active participants. It is obvious that your vote is your voice; for your voice to be heard you must register to vote. Effective voter register ensures that citizens' right to vote is protected. It is imperative that INEC maintains updated Register of Voters in real time.
"Ahead of the forthcoming Edo and Ondo States governorship elections, it is important that voters in the two states are massively mobilized to register and participate in the polls. As the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC will spearhead this crucial exercise in collaboration with INEC. In previous elections, Council would move to various states, sensitize and mobilize the people on upcoming polls, called for non-violence and urge them to shun vote buying and selling, etc with the limited funds at its disposal. With the lowest voters turnout in the 2023 general election, so much needs to be done. It is on record that the 2003 general election had the highest voters turnout because INEC released funds in 2002 to political parties to engage in voter education, sensitisation and mobilisation to register and participate in the elections.
"The need to restore annual grant to political parties that was expunged from the constitution by the National Assembly, cannot be overemphasized.
IPAC has set up its Constitution and Electoral Act Amendments Committee that will recommend aspects of the laws that need to be reviewed, and presented to the National Assembly for consideration."
Some of the political party leaders in attendance include chairmen of: APC, Abdullahi Ganduje; LP, Julius Abure; among others.
