INEC Present Updated Voters’ Register To Political Parties

INEC Present Updated Voters’ Register To Political Parties

By Joy Richardson

As Edo State gears up for its highly anticipated elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shared crucial updates on the progress of voter registration, card distribution, and other key elements of the electoral process.

These developments are pivotal for the electorate and stakeholders, as the state prepares for what promises to be a significant political event.

Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo, addressed the press with important announcements. The distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to registered voters is set to commence on August 22, 2024.

This critical exercise will be conducted at the ward level and will run until August 26. With daily collection hours scheduled from 9 AM to 5 PM, including weekends, INEC is ensuring maximum accessibility for voters. For those unable to pick up their PVCs during this period, the remaining cards will be transferred to Local Government Area (LGA) head offices, where they can be collected from August 28 to September 8. After this deadline, PVC collection will cease, marking the final opportunity for voters to secure their ability to participate in the upcoming polls.

In a move that underscores INEC’s commitment to transparency, Dr. Onuoha also announced that the updated voter register, including newly registered voters, will be distributed to the chairpersons of various political parties. This step complies with legal requirements that mandate the provision of the voter register to political parties no later than 30 days before the election.

However, due to an ongoing leadership dispute within the Labour Party, the voter register will be handed directly to the party’s candidate, bypassing the usual protocol.

The press briefing also highlighted concerns surrounding the transmission of election results. With fears of potential legal challenges if results are not transmitted live, Dr. Onuoha clarified that while the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be employed for voter verification, electronic voting will not be used. Instead, the results recorded at the end of voting will be electronically transmitted.

Acknowledging the challenges that BVAS may present, the REC assured that contingency plans are in place to address any technical issues that might arise, ensuring a seamless process on election day.

Security remains a top priority for INEC as the election date draws near. Dr. Onuoha confirmed that the commission is working closely with security agencies to ensure a safe environment for the elections. A security workshop is currently being conducted to bolster these efforts, addressing potential concerns that could arise on election day.

In her remarks, Professor Rhoda Gumus, the Supervising National Commissioner for Edo, provided a comprehensive overview of INEC’s activities. She expressed her gratitude to the political parties in attendance and affirmed that the commission has successfully adhered to its planned schedule, in strict accordance with the Electoral Laws.

As the election process progresses, she announced that the final day for campaigns has been set for September 19, 2024, marking the end of the pre-election activities.

Professor Gumus also mentioned a planned mock accreditation exercise, with specific dates to be announced soon. This exercise will further ensure that the election process runs smoothly.

Edo State currently boasts a total of 2,629,025 registered voters, including 173,408 new registrants.

INEC has identified 54,202 duplicate registrations, and the voter register includes 4,149 persons with disabilities (PWDs).

These statistics, provided by Mr. Olatunde G. Olalere, the Director of the Voter Registry, emphasize the commission’s thoroughness in preparing for the election, which will take place across 192 registration areas and 4,519 polling units.

The event culminated with the presentation of soft copies of the Voter Register to the chairpersons of the political parties in attendance.

Notable figures, including Hon. Charles Ogieriakhi of the Allied Peoples Congress, Engineer Obamwonyi of the Action Democratic Party, Hon. Osaro Uwaifo of Action Alliance, Mr. Kennedy Odion of the African Democratic Congress, and Mr. Tony Aziegbemi of the PDP, were present to receive the register.

As the election date approaches, INEC is working diligently to finalize preparations and ensure a free, fair, transparent, and credible election.

Stakeholders and the general public are encouraged to stay informed and actively participate in this vital democratic process.