•INEC, other stakeholders should ensure success of voter registration exercise
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has, in preparation for the 2019 General Election, kicked off the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) programme. This follows the earlier introduction of permanent election calendar by the commission.
There is, therefore, no doubt that the commission wants to ensure flawless polling in 2019. We agree with INEC that continuous voter registration is a key component of preparations for the elections. It is meant to update the register as was compiled before the 2015 elections with those who have turned 18 years of age since then afforded the opportunity of getting enlisted on the electoral register so that they can exercise their franchise. Those who have relocated from one town or area to another, too, are expected to use the window to ensure a transfer of their names to their current domicile.
Towards ensuring that all goes well during the registration and thereafter, INEC has announced that its offices in the headquarters of the 774 local government areas will serve the purpose. The information communication technology unit of the commission is said to have embarked on the training of staff deployed for the exercise, while sound and functional Direct Data Capture Machines are said to have been carefully selected. The good news is that, as announced by the commission, the registration and review of the register would continue until sometime close to the general election. It is also commendable that the commission intends to publish the register as updated quarterly for claims and objections.
We call on all those who have not collected their Permanent Voter Cards to do so now. The same goes for those who registered but whose names were missing on the register when published in 2015. Elections, being the only means of recruiting leaders, should engage the attention and involvement of all eligible voters. Since 1999, in no election did 50 per cent of those registered turn up to vote. This is an opportunity to make a difference.
We commend INEC for making special provision for the electorate in the North East where many were displaced from their homes, whether still at the internally displaced persons camps or they have returned home. In the heat of the crisis, many had lost their cards; many homes were either pulled down or razed by the insurgents. What the zone therefore requires is a fresh compilation of names for the register. We hope INEC has made adequate preparation for the expected large turnout in the area.
The new register is expected to be fool-proof in line with INEC’s promise to upgrade the use of technology in conduct of elections – from registration to vote counting. It will be the first real test of the sincerity of the commission under the leadership of Professor Mahmood Yakubu. A lot has been said about the conduct of bye-elections by the commission since 2015. The series of inconclusive elections have been blamed on alleged incompetence of the commission. However, we agree with INEC that it deserves the benefit of the doubt given the extant laws under which the elections were conducted and the political environment. It is expected that the amendments to the Electoral Act and the regular parley with stakeholders would assist in overcoming the challenges.
The Federal Government should ensure that the needed fund is made available promptly to meet timelines on the election schedule if success is to be ensured. It should not leave voter education and mobilisation to the commission, either. It is one great responsibility that the federal and state governments cannot afford to shirk. Voter registration should be taken seriously by the political parties. They ought to be at the forefront of driving the electorate to register and check their registration status.
The electoral commission should realise that all Nigerians want are fool-proof elections.
