Reps seek extension of voters registration by 60 days

The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has been mandated to liaise with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the continuation of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise as provided in the Electoral Act.

This followed a resolution on a motion presented by Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) at the plenary on Wednesday.

Presenting the motion, he said the ongoing CVR by INEC is scheduled to end on 30 June 2022, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

He noted the decision to suspend the voters’ registration was in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 which requires INEC to suspend voters’ registration at least 90 days before an election.

Kalu however informed that in April 2022, INEC had declared that about 42 per cent of the voter registrations recorded since the commencement of CVR on 28 June, 2021, were invalid with about 20 million unclaimed Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

The lawmaker informed that, there were reports of shortages of voter registration machines, inadequate manpower and personnel at registration centres.

He said this might lead to frustration among prospective registrants and in some cases, unrest at some registration centres.

According to him, there are already calls from concerned citizens and civil society groups, urging INEC to extend the voters’ registration deadline to accommodate eligible voters who want to register for their PVCs

After contributions by various members, the House resolved that its Committee on Electoral Matters should liaise with INEC on the issue to ensure that it is extended to a longer period as the Electoral Act already provided a window for the extension.

The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, stated that since a provision was already in the Electoral Act, the call for extension was in order.

Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022 allows for voter registration to go on till 90 days to the general elections. (Daily Trust)