By Ezeocha Nzeh
Aimed at attracting more voters ahead of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra state the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the devolution of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state.
INEC said Thursday in a statement issued by its National commissioner, in charge of Information and Votet Education, Festus Okoye, that the expansion of the CVR into the wards, which is expected to commence on August 30 is part of the outlined detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, adding that Eight out of the 14 activities have already been fully and successfully implemented, including the conduct of party primaries, nomination of candidates and commencement of campaign by political parties.
“In order to ensure that fresh voters and those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra State or from one part of the State to another are given the opportunity to do so and to complete the process ahead of the election, the Commission has approved the devolution of the CVR to the 326 Wards in the State.
The exercise will begin on Monday 30th August 2021 and end on Sunday 5th September 2021. This is in addition to the existing 21 Local Government Area offices and the State Head office where physical registration is currently taking place. This brings the total number of registration centres in the State to 348.
“In compliance with the provision of Section 9(5) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), voter registration shall stop not later than 60 days before an election. This means that the exercise in Anambra State will be suspended by 6th September 2021. This will enable the Commission to clean up the data, compile the register, make copies available to political parties, print the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) for collection by registered voters and prepare two copies of the register for each of the 5,720 polling units ahead of the election.
“Consequently, in addition to our Local Government and State offices, those who wish to register in-person or physically can now do so at the Registration Area (Ward) level throughout the State from 30th August to 5th September 2021. Those who have done the online pre-registration must also complete the physical registration within those dates if they wish to vote in the forthcoming Governorship election. The Commission will suspend the physical registration of voters in Anambra State from 6th September 2021 until after the Governorship election.” INEC stated.
It noted further that the Commission has identified 580 pre-registrants who booked for appointment to complete their registration after 5th September 2021, adding that the commission has contacted each one of them by e-mail and rescheduled them within the dates earmarked for the devolved exercise.
“In the Commission’s determination to continue to give Nigerians a pleasant experience during the CVR exercise, we are deploying 652 trained staff based on two personnel for each of the 326 wards. In addition, there will be enough voter registration machines and adequate technical support for the duration of the exercise which will hold between 9am and 3pm daily, including the weekend. Our State office in Anambra has commenced stakeholder engagements and massive publicity for the exercise.”
