As the nation prepares for the commencement of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) the Independent National Electoral Commission has pleaded with Civil Society Organizations in the country to assist the commission in sensitizing Nigerians.
Chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu made the plea on Friday at the quarterly meeting with the CSOs in Abuja.
Professor Yakubu acknowledged the support the Commission continued to enjoy from critical stakeholders in the electoral process as he declared that expansion of Polling Units which he noted was a 25-year-old challenge was solved in four months, (February to June 2021).
He said: “Considering the central role you play in our democracy, leaders of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) were among the first stakeholders we consulted. On behalf of the Commission, I would like to express our appreciation to you for your consistent support. I want to reassure you that the Commission will continue to consult you on matters critical to the consolidation of our electoral process and democracy. Working together with you, we have in no small measure deepened our democracy by expanding citizens’ access to the ballot box. This historic accomplishment was also made in record time. It took just four months (February to June 2021) to solve a 25-year-old problem. It means that if we continue to work together consultatively, no challenge is insurmountable. It is our commitment as a Commission to deepen our collaboration with CSOs.
“As we prepare to resume the CVR, we appeal to CSOs to continue to support the Commission by increasing citizens’ awareness through voter education. There will be new registrants, requests for intra-State and inter-State transfers as well as the replacement of voters’ cards as provided by law. With the relocation of voting points to underserved areas as autonomous polling units, there is a need for massive publicity so that citizens are familiar with their voting locations well ahead of elections.
The Commission will soon make available a lot of advocacy materials. We will work with CSOs to ensure the widest possible outreach.”
Ahead of outstanding off-seasons elections like the forthcoming governorship elections in Anambra state slated for November 6 and the Ekiti and Osun states, fixed for next year.
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