Following reports of glitch-filled voters’ registration across the country, particularly in the Southeast, Lagos and Kano, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been propelled to increase the number of voter enrolment machines in the affected areas.
Nigerian youths are coming out in numbers never seen before for voters’ registration as the country’s 2023 national assembly and presidential elections approaches. However, reports from the registration centers suggest that the INEC is unprepared for the huge turnout, resulting in an alleged attempt to disenfranchise some Nigerians.
The development, which came with tribal undertone as many of the complainants’ claim that the INEC personnel are deliberately refusing to register the Igbos, was criticized by well-meaning Nigerians. The Igbos are reportedly trooping out en masse in Lagos and the Southeast for the registration exercise, a development said to be a remarkable shift from their previous insouciant attitude toward elections.
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The criticism which was followed by a call on the electoral umpire to urgently address the issue has compelled it to act. A statement signed by the Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye on Friday, says that the INEC has released additional 209 machines to the areas overwhelmed by the huge turnout.
Read the statement below:
“The Independent Electoral Commission has received reports from our States indicating an unprecedented surge in the number of citizens that wish to register as voters and the challenges they face across the country.
“In some States, the sudden turnout of prospective registrants is overwhelming. Consequently, the Commission convened an urgent meeting with all the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) yesterday 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 enrolment machines to ease the congestion at the registration centres 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.
“The Commission will monitor the situation over the next few days. Thereafter, it will meet to review the progress of the 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.”
