TheCable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed reports of the resumption of continuous voter registration (CVR) in areas it was suspended in Imo.

INEC had suspended the ongoing CVR in all the 54 additional centres created to facilitate the registration of voters across the state and confined it to state and LGA offices.

The commission made the decision owing to an attack on its officials in the state.

In a statement on Tuesday, Festus Okoye, INEC national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, described such reports as “misleading” and called on the public to disregard them.

“The exercise is still confined to our State and Local Government Area offices except in Orsu, Njaba and Ihitte Uboma Local Government Areas where it is suspended indefinitely. The position of the Commission has not changed,” the statement reads.

“While the Commission is not unmindful of the imperative of giving every eligible Nigerian the opportunity to register and vote in future elections, the safety and security of citizens involved in the exercise is a paramount concern.

“We appeal to the public to discountenance the purported resumption of the CVR in the three LGAs of Orsu, Njaba and Ihitte Uboma. Such statements are capable of misleading the public and further jeopardising the safety of registrants and officials as well as the security of the Commission’s facilities.

“At the appropriate time, the Commission will announce any new decision on the matter after consultation with the security agencies and critical stakeholders.

“The Commission has an organized and official means of communication and has been upfront with providing information to the general public.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission has not appointed any unofficial spokesperson on any its activities.”