Cross River State: INEC concludes Display of Preliminary Voters’ Register
Eme Offiong, Calabar.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has concluded its fourteen-day display of Preliminary Register of Voters and distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards across the 193 political wards in Cross River State, southern Nigeria.
The display of the voters’ register, which commenced on November 12, 2022 at the various Registration Area Centres closed at the end of work on Friday, November 25, 2022.
A visit to the Registration Area Centres, Ward One and Ward Five in Calabar South and Calabar Municipality respectively revealed low turnout of registrants at the two venues.
Voice of Nigeria also observed that thousands of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), well arranged on display alongside the register, remained unclaimed despite the INEC’s efforts at sensitizing the public, especially the people that participated in the registration process.
A resident of Ikot Ishie in Calabar Municipality, Mr. Effefiom Bassey, said,
“I went to the Registration Area near my house at Ikot Ishie, but I was told that my card was not ready. I did transfer from my former polling unit to anyone near where I know reside.”
Yet another resident, Godwin Aniekan, said, “I was not aware that INEC was displaying the voters’ register.
“I do not know where to go before now. But, I hope if I go to their office, someone will attend to me.
“I did not hear the announcement at all we do not always have electricity and when I am able to charge my phone, I do not use it to listen to the radio just calls.”
It could be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission had released a timetable for the display of the preliminary voters’ register to enable people effect the necessary observations and changes, if any, before the distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Cards.
Peaceful Exercise
In a press statement signed by the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, INEC office, Calabar, Anthonia Nwobi indicated that the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Gabriel Yomere, visited some of the registration areas across the metropolis to ascertain the level of response and create increased awareness on the importance of the exercise.
According to the statement, Professor Yomere explained to those present at each of the centres that the pre-election exercise was to “give the citizens the opportunity for claims and objections, pointing out errors in their names and other personal data,” while presenting authentic proofs to back up.
The statement further indicated that reports from the INEC’s offices in the 18 local government areas in Cross River State revealed that the exercise was peaceful.
