INRC To Set Up Voters’ Registration Centres At LGA Offices Nationwide

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to set up registration points for enrolling unlisted voters into the voters’ register, at its Local Government Area (LGA) offices across the country.

The commission said the continuous voters’ registration was aimed at addressing issues that prevented eligible voters from registering during the recent exercise that ended last Monday.

“The INEC has noted with concern the agitation in some quarters for an extension of the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) which ends on Monday, August 25, 2014,” the commission said in a statement issued by Mr. Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to Prof. Attahiru Jega, the chairman of the commission.

“This phase of the exercise, which commenced on Wednesday, August 20, 2014, involved the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and 11 states namely Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kwara, Anambra, Ebonyi, Ondo, Oyo Delta and Cross River.”

“Much as the Commission is eager to ensure that all legitimate persons, who are yet to register as voters have the opportunity to do so, it is logistically impossible to extend this phase of the CVR beyond its scheduled deadline (Monday, August 25, 2014)”

“But in order to give fair chance to legitimate registrants, the Commission will, on a date to be shortly announced, set up registration points at its LGA offices where people yet to do so can go to register.

“INEC notes with deep regret that old tendencies towards irregularity, such as partisans urging people to come out and do multiple registrations, largely accounted for the crowd clusters lingering at registration points set up for the CVR by the Commission.

“Many other people who have relocated since the last registration exercise and only needed to apply for their registration status to be transferred to their new location also turned up for fresh registration.

“INEC again hereby urges all stakeholders in the electoral process to commit themselves to playing at all times by the rules in the collective quest to enthrone free, fair and credible elections.”

The commission also warned voters to avoid registering twice as it claimed that they would be found out and face stipulated sanctions as provided by the Electoral Act.