INEC targets 700,000 new registrants in Enugu

INEC box

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu state is targeting over 700,000 new registrants and transferees in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

This disclosure was made in Enugu on Monday, July 5 2021, by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Emeka Ononamadu. The voter registration exercise commenced nationwide on June 28, 2021, and will see the Commission register about 14 million new voters nationwide.

Also, in its quest to ensure a hitch-free registration exercise ahead of the general elections, INEC has introduced an online portal as part of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

Addressing stakeholders on the need for the exercise, Mr. Ononamadu said the online registration would prevent queues at INEC registration centres and allow all prospective voters to register.

Intending registrants are supposed to fill out forms and upload their pictures, data and documents on the portal. They will then make an appointment on the web portal for a date and time to visit the INEC Enugu office or any of the 17 local government area offices to give their fingerprints and complete the registration.

Through the portal, INEC hopes to “reduce overcrowding at our registration centres, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, make the registration processes easier, thereby giving Nigerians a pleasant electoral experience,” according to Mr. Ononamadu.

For a seamless exercise, the state REC said the Commission had obtained new registration machines for data capturing and biometrics; designated centres for physical registration across the country, for those without smartphones; and has made the registration exercise free.

“I must reiterate that the Commission has on several occasions said the online registration is a public service and therefore free of charge. There is no INEC-approved cybercafé, no online registration centre and no scratch card to be purchased for the exercise,” Mr. Ononamadu said.

Victor Ezeja

Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.