The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seems to have become helpless with the unprecedented surge in the number of citizens seeking to register in the ongoing voter registration exercise, ahead of the 2023 elections.
The development, which came with various undertones, as many of the complainants’ claim that the INEC personnel are deliberately refusing to register people certain ethnicity who are domicile in another ethnic divide, though these insinuations have been criticized by well-meaning Nigerians who are opposed to divisions and tribal sentiments.
For instance, the Igbos are reportedly trooping out en-masse in Lagos, Abuja and the Southeast for the registration exercise, a development said to be a remarkable shift from their previous insouciant attitude toward elections.
Some other reports from the registration centers suggest that the INEC is unprepared for the exercise, especially the huge turnout, resulting in an alleged attempt to disenfranchise some Nigerians.
On the other hand, these insinuations and criticisms may have caused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to quickly meet and device measures to address situation, with Commission’s National Commissioner on Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, revealing in a statement recently that the Commission has received reports of extraordinary rise in the number of persons seeking to be registered as voters and the corresponding challenges.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received reports from our States indicating an unprecedented surge in the number of citizens that wish to register as voters and the challenges they face across the country. In some States, the sudden turnout of prospective registrants is overwhelming,” the statement read.
“Consequently, the Commission convened an urgent meeting with all the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Thursday 9th June 2022, to review the situation so that eligible Nigerians who wish to register are able to do so. The necessity to urgently deploy more voter enrolment machines to ease the congestion at the registration centres was identified as a priority.
“In response, the Commission has immediately released additional 209 machines deployed mainly to the five South Eastern States, Lagos and Kano where the pressure is most acute.
“The Commission will monitor the situation over the next few days. Thereafter, it will meet to review the progress of the exercise.
“Every step will be taken and all options will be explored to ensure that eligible Nigerians are given the opportunity to register as voters.
“The Commission appeals for patience and understanding of all citizens. Every Nigerian who is 18 years of age and above has the constitutional right to register and vote in any part of the country he/she resides without let or hinderance.
“The sudden surge is an affirmation of the increasing confidence Nigerians have in our electoral process. The Commission will continue to ensure that this confidence is sustained.”
“Every Nigerian who is 18 years of age and above has the constitutional right to register and vote in any part of the country he/she resides without let or hindrance. The sudden surge is an affirmation of the increasing confidence Nigerians have in our electoral process. The Commission will continue to ensure that this confidence is sustained.”
While applauding the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its intervention measures thus far, towards ensuring that all Nigerians up to the age of 18 years and above, wishing to register has an unrestricted opportunity, yet, the increasing surge has not abated.
It is therefore our earnest submission that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should create more PVC Registration centres and as well deploy more machines especially in the most affected such as South East States, addition to extending registration period.
