By Ahmed Abubakar
No fewer than 68,833,476 persons would have the opportunity to cast their votes against the February polls according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega stated this in a press conference that the number was from an earlier figure of 74,638,834 that were registered.
The figure of 68, 833, 476 is against the 73.5 million voters registered in 201w stating that the new figure was arrived at after extensive screening of those persons that were convinced to have conducted either multiple registrations or other electoral offences that had been detected by the commission.
The INEC Chairman revealed that about 4 million voters were discovered to have multiple registrations by the commission across the country while 580,000 He said the commission has taken additional delivery of PVCS. From its contractor assuring that by “we will have all outstanding cards with us latest by 28th January”.
He said the names of the registered voters would soon be made public while stressing that so far 38 million permanent Voters Card (PVCs) have been collected and issued so far across the states with the exception of Borno state because of the peculiar security challenge of the area.
He stressed that there is still the challenge of issuing PVCs to the remaining voters that have registered which he said resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) have been directed to further decentralise it’s distribution to ward levels.
He however assured that 132,000 Card readers that would certify the genuinety of already issued-out PVCs have been procured and would soon commence its distribution to states.
He said additional card readers would be provided to cover no less than 155,000 polling units that elections would be hold across the country.
The commission umpire however said that all pending funds due to the commission have been settled and assured that funding would not be an impediment to the February polls.
He later announced that 14 candidates have been nominated for the presidential ticket under various political parties, 739 for Senatorial positions while 1,780 candidates have been nominated for house of Representatives, names of Governorship and states houses of assemblies would be published on 27th of January as the law requires.
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