Anambra 2021: INEC fixes August 30th for Voters’ registration
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed August 30 for the commencement of the continuous voters’ registration ahead of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.
According to a statement by INEC Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye, the exercise will enable those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra State or from one part of the State to another to do so.
“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,” Okoye said.
Barr. Okoye said the exercise in Anambra State will be suspended by 6th September 2021 to 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.
“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.
“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,” Okoye said.
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Online Voters’ Registration
Barr. Okoye said from the online registration of voters, the Commission has identified 580 pre-registrants who booked for appointments to complete their registration after 5th September 2021.
“We have contacted each one of them by e-mail and rescheduled them within the dates earmarked for the devolved exercise. We have also given them the option to choose another date within that period if the date we proposed is not convenient for them.
“However, they are at liberty to reschedule for a later date if they do not wish to vote in the November 6th Governorship election,” he added.
He also reiterated INEC’s determination to give Nigerians a pleasant experience during the CVR exercise, noting that 652 trained staff based on two personnel would be deployed in each of the 326 wards.
In addition, Okoye stated that there will be enough voter registration machines and adequate technical support for the duration of the exercise which will hold between 9 am and 3 pm daily, including the weekend.
“Our State office in Anambra has commenced stakeholder engagements and massive publicity for the exercise. We urge all Nigerians to cooperate with the Commission for the success of the exercise,” he said
PR / Zainab Sa’id
