Edo 2024: CONGOS Urges INEC to Open Continuous Voters Registration for eligible voters
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By Adesuwa Ehimuan
Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations, CONGOS, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to make available continuous voters’ registration centres to ensure that people are not unjustly disenfranchised in the forthcoming Edo Governorship Election.
The Spokesperson for Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations, Mrs. Abiola Daisy Igaga stated this at a press briefing held in Benin City.
Mrs. Igaga said that as the Edo State Governorship Election draws closer, INEC should obey the provision of section 10 subsection 1 of the electoral act 2021 (as amended) which mandated the umpire to register all qualified persons to exercise their franchise, stressing that the body is doubtful if INEC can fulfil that provision of the constitution within the time frame.
Mrs. Igaga states “with reference to section 9 subsection 6 which states that the registration of voters, updating and revision of voters registration under this section shall not stop later than 90 days before any election covered by this act. It means that even if INEC was to convene the Continuous Voters Registration exercise today, they would have to end it on Friday the 21 of June”.
She lamented that the time left for INEC to process a credible voters register update is not accommodated in the time left for the election process between now and September 21, 2024.
CONGOS spokesperson explained that the process required building public consciousness conveyed in a sensitization programme, identification and recruitment of personnel, provision of materials provision of logistics which include security for materials and operating personnel, collation of register and display of the revised register before the election amon others.
CONGOS however called on INEC to immediately commence the update of the voters register to avoid a constitution infraction in the Edo State Governorship Election, 2024. She expressed fear that citizens of Edo State who have turned 18 and are potential voters in the September 21, 2024 election, stands to be disenfranchised if INEC continues with laxity and non-conformity with exigencies of the moment.
She called on INEC to deepen voters’ awareness and enhanced greater participation of the populace in the electoral process in the state ahead of the gubernatorial election.
Mrs. Igaga also recommended active collaboration with the media, civil society organizations in fostering the aspect of enlightenment and national development for the Nigerian people.
