Victor Ezeja
Barely two weeks after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commenced voter registration exercise nationwide, no fewer than 1,258 new registrants have accessed the INEC online portal and applied for voters’ cards in Enugu State.
This was disclosed by the Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Emeka Ononamadu, who stated that the number of applications was gradually increasing on daily basis, which is a positive sign of improvement in the ongoing online Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrime Business Africa had earlier reported that the Commission was targeting over 700,000 new registrants and transferees in the ongoing voter registration exercise in Enugu.
Ononamadu assured that all eligible citizens will be given opportunity to conveniently register without hitches. The REC addressed the concern of those who are afraid of being disenfranchised from the online registration arrangement due to their inability to access the Internet and do not possess smart devices required, saying: “INEC is allaying the fears expressed by some citizens that many prospective registrants may be disenfranchised by the new digital arrangement.”
He also said the commission will provide enough time for all Nigerians eligible to vote to register, no matter their circumstances or where they are living.
“The exercise will be carried out continuously over a period of at least one year thereby providing enough time for the commission to reach all the nooks and crannies of the country.
“In addition to the online registration portal, there will be some 2,673 centers where citizens can register physically nationwide,” he stated.
INEC had in its quest to ensure a hitch-free registration exercise ahead of the 2023 general elections, introduced an online portal as part of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
The electoral body commenced online CVR on June 28 nationwide on its registration portal — https://cvr.inecnigeria.org.
The schedule of appointments for online registrants and physical CVR at INEC state and local government offices nationwide is expected to commence on July 19.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
