By David Onimisi Lawani
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has reiterated the commission’s resolve to continue to educate the voting public on the need to be aware of their political rights.
Mahmood made this disclosure during the 2nd Quarterly consultative meeting with the media organizations held at the national secretariat of the commission stressing that only when voters are aware of their rights due to sufficient education then they can make informed decisions on who to cast their votes for.
He said the Continuous Voters Registration, CVR, is also an avenue to register those who have attained the right age of 18 years according to the Electoral Act.
According to him: ” We intend to undertake the CVR exercise over a period of at least one year. The success of the exercise depends to a considerable extent on citizens’ awareness through voter education.
Another Nasarawa lawmaker defects to APC
There will be new registrants, requests for intra-State and inter-State transfers as well as the replacement of voters’ cards as provided by law.
” Furthermore, with the relocation of voting points to underserved areas as autonomous polling units, there is need for massive publicity so that citizens are familiar with their voting locations well ahead of all forthcoming elections. We appeal for your partnership to achieve this goal”, he said.
The commission also noted that it is introducing the online portal for the first time making it possible for a prospective voter complete the process before appearing physically at the designated centre.
He assures the media that INEC is prepared to continue to deploy technology in making the process convenient for everyone.
His words: ” The expansion of voters’ access to polling units prepares the ground for the discharge of another important responsibility of the Commission. The registration of eligible Nigerians as voters is one of the immediate tasks before the Commission. Consequently, in the next one week i.e. Monday 28th June 2021, the Commission will resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide.
“In doing so, the Commission is introducing a portal to enable eligible Nigerians to commence registration as voters online before completing the exercise physically at designated centres nationwide. This is first time a major exercise of this nature is handled partially online consistent with the Commission’s commitment to continue to deepen the use of technology in the electoral process in Nigeria.
“Just like the expansion of voter access to Polling Units, the Commission appeals to the media for support so that this novel idea will also be successful. The CVR will be a major issue for discussion at this meeting. The Commission will demonstrate the procedure for the proposed online registration and also present the new INEC Voter Enrollment Device (IVED) to you shortly”, he stated.
