Godfrey AKON
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has distanced itself from reports that it has resumed Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise in some local government areas of Imo State where the exercise had earlier been suspended over security concerns.
The commission, in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, described the reports as misleading.
Okoye maintained that the exercise is still confined to INEC state and local government area offices except in Orsu, Njaba and Ihitte Uboma Local Government Areas where it is suspended indefinitely.
“Our attention has been drawn to media reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resumed the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in places where the exercise was earlier suspended in Imo State. This is misleading.
“It will be recalled that following the unfortunate incident in Imo State in which our staff was killed by gunmen in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area, and reports of insecurity in other parts of the State, the Commission suspended the ongoing voter registration exercise in all the 54 additional centres created to facilitate the registration of voters across the State. 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.
“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,” he said.
Okoye also appealed to members of the public to discountenance the purported resumption of the CVR in the three LGAs of Orsu, Njaba and Ihitte Uboma, adding that such reports 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,” he said.
