The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has introduced new measures to address security challenges and difficult terrain hindering the smooth implementation of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Imo State.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Prof. Sylvia Agu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Owerri during a meeting with Electoral Officers and Heads of Department of the commission.
Agu said the new strategy was aimed at increasing the number of newly registered voters by bringing registration services closer to the people. According to her, INEC has shifted from the use of stationary registration centres to a rotational system.
“From February 2 to April 10, registration will no longer be limited to Local Government headquarters.
“Teams will rotate IVED machines across designated registration areas to reach citizens more effectively, especially in hard-to-reach locations, while ensuring adequate security,” she said.
She explained that the mobile registration approach, scheduled to run for 50 days, was adopted following high-level deliberations in Lagos to ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised due to distance or fear of insecurity.
The REC noted that special attention was being given to volatile areas such as Okigwe, Orsu, Njaba, and Mbaitoli, adding that the commission was working closely with community leaders and security agencies to guarantee the safety of personnel and registrants.
Agu also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community groups to support INEC by sensitizing and mobilizing residents for the second phase of the CVR.
She stressed the importance of deploying more scanners and IVED machines to achieve a successful and high-volume registration exercise, while commending the hitch-free conduct of the first phase.
However, she cautioned INEC staff against misconduct and advised them not to proceed to the field without adequate security arrangements.
Expressing optimism, Agu said the second phase of the CVR, which began on 5 January and will end on 10 April, was expected to surpass previous records.
She added that the exercise would be followed by the publication of the voters’ register for claims and objections.
(Agency Report)
