TheCable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the devolution of the continuous voter registration (CVR) to the 326 wards in Anambra state.

According to a statement on Thursday by Festus Okoye, INEC national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, the move is to ensure that voters are able to complete the registration processes ahead of the state governorship election on November 6.

He noted that the exercise will begin on August 30 and end on September 5, in compliance with the electoral act.

“In order to ensure that fresh voters and those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra state or from one part of the state to another are given the opportunity to do so and to complete the process ahead of the election, the commission has approved the devolution of the CVR to the 326 wards in the state. The exercise will begin on Monday, 30th August 2021 and end on Sunday, 5th September 2021,” the statement reads.

“This is in addition to the existing 21 Local Government Area offices and the state head office where physical registration is currently taking place. This brings the total number of registration centres in the state to 348.

“In compliance with the provision of Section 9(5) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), voter registration shall stop not later than 60 days before an election. This means that the exercise in Anambra State will be suspended by 6th September 2021.

“This will enable the Commission to clean up the data, compile the register, make copies available to political parties, print the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) for collection by registered voters and prepare two copies of the register for each of the 5,720 polling units ahead of the election.”

The commission said in its determination to ensure a smooth voter registration exercise, it will deploy two personnel for each of the 326 wards.

“In addition, there will be enough voter registration machines and adequate technical support for the duration of the exercise which will hold between 9am and 3pm daily, including the weekend,” the statement reads.

“We urge all Nigerians to cooperate with the Commission for the success of the exercise.”