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As the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) gears up for the commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) scheduled to take off on Monday, August 18 for online Pre-registration and 25 for In-person registration, the Commission has appealed to all stakeholders in the electoral system of Nigeria to join hands and assist the commission to achieve its core mandate of giving the country fair, transparent and credible election.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Abia State, Chukwuemeka Ibeziakor, made the call on Thursday at a Stakeholders Interactive Meeting at the INEC state headquarters in Umuahia.
According to the REC, a credible electoral process involves collaboration of all the stakeholders which include: political parties, civil society groups, religious bodies, trade unions among others.
“I accordingly urge all of you to lend the goodwill of your significant positions in our polity to boost and sustain the mantra of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to wit; making your votes count in our elections and thereby consolidating our democracy.”
He reaffirmed the commitment of the commission in making the votes of Nigerians count to consolidate democracy in Nigeria.
Ibeziakor explained that the aim of the Continuous Voter Registration is to enable those who attained the mandatory age of 18 after the last election in 2023 to obtain their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) and be eligible to exercise their civic rights as citizens.
The Abia State REC, pointed out that marriage, work transfer, relocation, among other factors can make those who already have their PVCs want to transfer their voters’ cards to their new locations.
He also stated that some people may want to effect some changes on their cards for different reasons, such as change of name due to marriage and the likes, adding that the CVR avails them the opportunity to do so.
Ibeziakor emphasized the need for everyone to be part of the sensitization on the need for people to participate in the electoral process in Nigeria by making sure they take the awareness campaign to their various localities.
“This civic duty can be discharged by notifying persons within your scope, of the imminent Continuous Voter Registration, which guarantees eligibility to participate in our elections.”
“In essence, your partnership is both crucial and relevant to the success of the exercise. I therefore earnestly implore your support towards the mobilization and sensitization of the public as well as ensuring peaceful, inclusive and transparent registration exercise.”
“It is fundamental to state that the Independent National Electoral Commission is committed and determined to make our electoral processes to be credible, free and fair, impartial, inclusive and transparent.”
“Let us work in synergy for the strengthening of our democracy by ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has the capacity and competence to vote in our elections.”
Southeastposts reports that the gathering brought together major stakeholders in the electoral system of Nigeria which include representatives of various political parties, representatives of Inter Party Advisory Committee, IPAC, Christian Association of Nigeria, Youth societies, YIAGA Africa and other civil society groups, traditional rulers, local government authorities and the media.
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