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…Says Commission still worried over recent attacks on its facilities
From: Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
As the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, begins the continuous voter registration (CVR) nationwide on Monday, eligible Nigerians have been assured they will not be disenfranchised by the new digital arrangement.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu specifically allayed the fears expressed by some Nigerians that many citizens may be disenfranchised by the new digital arrangement.
Prof Yakubu said this yesterday at a press conference he addressed on the launching of the online registration portal for the resumption of the CVR at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The INEC Chairman similarly said that the Commission is still deeply worried by the threat that the recent attacks on its facilities across the country by unknown gunmen could pose to registrants and its staff during the CVR, notwithstanding the fact they they (the attacks) have subsided.
Prof Yakubu pointed out that based on credible advice, the Commission has decided to adopt what he called “a roll-out and roll-back approach” to the CVR exercise such that the registration centres will not only be accessible but safe and secure.
He appealed for the understanding and support of Nigerians, especially those who have been keenly awaiting the resumption of the CVR.
The INEC Chairman, “Let me allay the fears expressed by some Nigerians that many citizens may be disenfranchised by the new digital arrangement.
“The Commission is aware that not all Nigerians have computers, smart phones, access to the internet or residing in urban and sub-urban areas.
“Some citizens may also have one form of disability or another to make it impossible for them to register online.
“The Commission is also aware of its responsibility under the law to provide every eligible Nigerian the opportunity to register irrespective of where they live or other circumstances of life.
‘I wish to assure you that in addition to the online registration portal, there will be some 2,673 centres where citizens can register physically nationwide.
“Furthermore, the exercise will be carried out continuously over a period of at least one year thereby providing enough time for the Commission to reach all the nooks and crannies of the country.
“No eligible Nigerian will be disenfranchised.
“As you are ware, the Commission has had the sad experience of recent attacks on our offices across the country. In most cases, these offices have been burnt or vandalized.
“Clearly, the aim of the attackers was to undermine the Commission’s capacity to organize elections and other electoral activities, including the CVR.
“Luckily, only buildings, equipment and materials have been destroyed.
“Although the attacks have subsided, the Commission is still deeply worried by the threat that they could pose to registrants and our staff during the CVR.
“As a result of this profound concern, the Commission has made representations to government and had several discussions with stakeholders, including security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), political parties, civil society organizations and the media.
“During these consultations, we shared our plans, hopes and concerns regarding the security threat that we currently face.
“From the consultations, the stakeholders reached a consensus that it is important for the Commission to place a high premium on securing the lives of registrants and staff, as well as the protection of the expensive registration equipment to be deployed for the exercise.
“Consequently, they advised that the Commission should adopt a graduated approach to the CVR exercise by starting online.
“After appraising the situation, the exercise can then proceed physically at State and LGA offices before finally deploying to all the 2,673 centres nationwide.
“Based on this advice, the Commission decided to adopt a roll-out and roll-back approach to the exercise such that the registration centres will not only be accessible but safe and secure.
“After a careful consideration of these suggestions, the Commission has decided to modify the schedule for the CVR as follows:
“I want to appeal for the understanding and support of Nigerians, especially those who have been keenly awaiting the resumption of the CVR.
“This is a situation beyond the control of the Commission, given our determination to ensure that electoral activities are conducted in a conducive atmosphere of freedom and safety.
“We hope that through this portal, we shall reduce overcrowding at our registration centres, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, make the registration processes generally easier, thereby giving Nigerians a pleasant electoral experience.
“The portal will go live in the early hours of Monday 28th June 2021. However, I must quickly reiterate that the online registration is a public service and therefore free of charge.
“There is no INEC-approved cybercafe, no online registration centre and no scratch card to be purchased for the exercise.
“All you need is a device, including your mobile phones, that can connect to the internet.
“Citizens can complete the online pre-registration anywhere and at anytime they choose.
“Just follow the simple but detailed step-by-step procedure on the portal and contact the INEC Help Desk where necessary. The details are on our website”, he said.
The INEC Chairman emphatically declared that the registration exercise will be for the following categories of Nigerians:
*Those who are 18 years and above and have not registered previously.
*Registered voters who have had any problem during accreditation for any past election, with either their Permanent Voters’ Cards or their fingerprints not being read by the Smart Card Reader.
*Registered voters who want to transfer their voting location from one place to another.
“Registered voters who want to correct issues with their data, such as misspelt names, dates of birth, etc.
*Registered voters whose PVCs are lost or damaged.
