The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Katsina state has resumed the Continuous Voters Registration exercise earlier suspended in 17 out of the 34 Local Government Areas.
The exercise was suspended following the encountered security challenges that were posed by terrorism and banditry activities which led to GSM network blockade in the affected locations.
Katsina state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Jibrin Ibrahim Zarewa, who disclosed this during a stakeholders meeting on Monday, said that the Commission had established two centres at the INEC state headquarters in addition to the centre at each of the LGAs.
According to him, “while the suspension lasted, registration of voters continued at the state office and the other 17 LGAs where communication services were not suspended.
“With the coming of this phase of of the exercise where it will be devolved to the ward level everywhere in Nigeria on rotation basis, registration will resume in the 17 LGAs with security challenges simultaneously with rotation where practicable..
“Accordingly, the Commission consulted with the security agencies on ward by ward basis and came up with the wards where registration is feasible.
“The prime concern is the security of all concerned staff, registrants, environment, other innocent people, security agents, property and electoral materials.
“It is not the intention of the Commission to expose anyone to avoidable danger.”
Zarewa disclosed that the number of polling units in the state ahead of the 2023 general election has increased, following the creation of additional polling units in 2021, which he said would be added to the already existing1,750 polling units across the state.
He explained that the new polling units were also designed to capture new registrants, lost and damaged Permanent Voters Cards as well as transfer to or from other polling units anywhere in the country.
