By Ezeocha Nzeh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has countered the report credited to the Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise (CVR) will continued in the three troubled Local Government Areas of Njaba, Orsu and Ihitte Uboma local Government Areas on Monday
Governor Uzodimma had through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Oguwuike Nwachukwu, during his Easter Service at the Imo Government House stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has agreed to lift the suspension on Continuous Voter Registration which was slammed on the State following the attack by gunmen on staff
According to the statement, Governor Uzodimma stated that the CVR would commence on Monday April 25
INEC had suspended the CVR registration following attacks that led to the killing of its staff and abduction of others at Ihite Uboma
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachukwu, said the governor announced the resumption of CVR on Sunday at the end of a church service at the Government House Chapel Owerri, as Catholics mark their 2022 Mothering Sunday..
Uzodinma said, “By Monday, April 25 2022 the CVR will resume in all the designated centres while the three Local Government under ban will carry out the registration at their Local Government Headquarters
But INEC in reaction to Governor Uzodimma’s claim, berated the governor for the false statement, stressing that Governor Uzodimma cannot act as the Commission’s spokesperson, especially in the case of INEC CVR exercise, even as it maintained that the CVR exercise remains suspended in the 54 additional centres created to faciitate the exercise in the state
“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.
“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.” INEC stated in the statement issued by its National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye
