INEC Rules Out Fresh Voters’ Registration In 11 States
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out fresh voters’ registration in 11 States where bye-elections are scheduled for October 31, 2020.
The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, INEC, Festus Okoye, disclosed this in an interview with Insidebusiness.ng on Friday.
The senatorial districts where bye-elections will hold include Bayelsa Central; Bayelsa West; Nganzi State Constituency, Borno State; Bayo State Constituency, Borno State; Cross River North Senatorial District, and Obudu State Constituency, Cross River State.
Others are Imo North Senatorial District; Lagos East Senatorial District; Kosofe II State Constituency, Lagos State; Plateau South Senatorial District; Bakura State Constituency, Zamfara State, and Ibaji State Constituency, Kogi State
Bye-elections will also hold in Isi-Uzo State Constituency of Enugu State and Bakori State Constituency of Katsina State.
Okoye explained that COVID-19 pandemic and the need to adhere to established protocols have made it impossible for INEC to conduct fresh voters’ registration as well as distribute Permanent Voter’s Card (PVCs) in the 11 States due for bye-elections and Ondo State’s governorship election.
He noted that the commission places high premium on people’s health and would not do anything to jeopardise the electorate’s wellbeing.
He also said the commission took the decision so as to establish trust and allay suspicion over uncollected PVCs.
Okoye said, “In our policy on conducting election within the context of COVID-19 pandemic released on 21 May, 2020; we made it clear that in view of the uncertainty created by the pandemic, the Commission will not carry out fresh voters’ registration.
“The health of the people and the rampaging nature of the pandemic were the main considerations. We did not conduct fresh registrations in Nasarawa State and did not do that in Edo State and will not do so in the 11 states where we have bye-elections on 31 October, 2020.
“Establishment of trust and allaying suspicion relating to uncollected Permanent Votes Cards played a role in our decision.”
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