CVR: Enugu monarch appeals to INEC to decentralise exercise

IGWE Samson Nnamani, the traditional ruler of Orjiagu-Agbani community, near Enugu, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to decentralise the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

Nnamani told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Enugu that the decentralisation was necessary in order to make the exercise “reachable and accessible’’ to people in remote areas of the state.

He expressed fear that the exercise would be futile if it would only take place at the local government headquarters rather than at ward levels in communities.

“INEC should not expect people from very far communities to come and register at the local government headquarter.

“It will be difficult for many to trek or transport themselves to the council headquarters.

“Let them decentralise the exercise to all the wards in communities in each local government area, with this, many more people will come out and participate,’’ he said.

The CVR is being conducted to enable citizens who turned 18 years after the last exercise; or those who could not register in the previous exercises to do so.

The Electoral Act mandates INEC to carryout CVR nationwide and to make available to every political party within 60 days after each year, the names and addresses of each person registered during that year.

The exercise holds Mondays to Fridays, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily, excluding public holidays.