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Tag: CVR

  • INEC extends CVR in Edo, Ondo by four days

    INEC extends CVR in Edo, Ondo by four days

    • 120,458 so far registered

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo states by four days.

    The exercise started on May 27 and should end on June 5. But, following the extension, it will now end on June 9.

    A statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said about 120,458 eligible voters have so far registered since the exercise started on May 27.

    The statement reads: “The Commission  met today, June 4 and, among other things, reviewed the ongoing CVR in Edo and Ondo states scheduled to end tomorrow (today).

    “However, following appeals by stakeholders, the Commission has approved extension of the exercise from June 6 to June 9 to enable more eligible persons register. Similarly, the timing is extended from 9am to 5pm daily.

    “Furthermore, the number of centres have been increased beyond the 397 wards and the two state offices in Benin City and Akure to include all the 36 Local Government offices of the Commission.

    “More machines will also be deployed in areas identified to have peculiar needs such as difficult terrain or communal issues.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Tinubu directs Edun to come up with cost implications in 48 hours

    “Like the ward registration centers, detailed information on the names and location addresses of the local government offices have also been uploaded to our website and social media platforms to guide registrants in the two states.

    “Meanwhile, the exercise is progressing well in the two states. As at June 3, eight days after the CVR started, 120,458 new voters have registered. Of this figure, 55,861 (46.4 per cent) are male.

    “Majority of the registered voters (82,003 or 68.8 per cent) are youths (18-34 years), 43,419 or 36.8 per cent) are students while 812 (0.67 per cent) are Persons with Disability (PWDs).

    “The Commission once again appeals to eligible voters to seize the opportunity of the extension to register, transfer or correct personal information on their PVCs as provided by law. No further extension will be granted by the Commission.”

  • Over 150,000 additional PVCs ready for collection in Ebonyi–REC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC) in Ebonyi has taken delivery of 150,892 additional Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)  following the  recent ’ Continuous Voters Registration(CVR).

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Godswill Obioma, announced this  at a meeting with  the chairmen and secretaries of political parties in Ebonyi on Wednesday in Abakaliki.

    He said that the commission received 179,550 PVCs from the previous registration, adding that 69,545 PVCs had been collected by their owners.

    Obioma said that over 110,000 cards were yet to be claimed by their owners from the previous registration exercise.

    “Our office has just received additional 150,892 PVCs and the cards are ready for collection.

    “I therefore call on you all, as stakeholders, to double your efforts in the sensitisation of registered voters to come forth and collect their PVCs.

    “Collection of PVCs will not be by proxy, their owners must come forth and collect their PVCs.

    “This will guarantee earnest expectations for Ebonyi to witness a larger voter turnout in the forthcoming 2019 general elections,” Obioma said.

    He said that the commission’s contiguous polling units within each registration areas were now  PVC collection points as they were closer to the people.

    The resident commissioner also urged political parties and candidates to engage in issue-based and violence-free electioneering towards the 2019 general elections.

    Obioma said that it was imperative for candidates in the election and their political parties to conduct themselves well.

    He reiterated  INEC’s commitment to conduct transparent, credible, free and fair elections in Ebonyi, while urging politicians in the state to cooperate with the commission to achieve its objectives.

    Obioma said that INEC would monitor all the campaigns of the various political parties as well as track their finances.

    “It is our duty to advise all active players engaged or to be engaged in this segment of electionerring process to carry on with issue based political campaigns.

    Read Also: Oyo: 800,000 PVCs yet to be collected – INEC

    “Contestants and indeed political parties should avoid campaign of calumny, hate and divisiveness.

    “All manners of hate speeches should be avoided as these will only lead to violence and undue heating up of the polity,” he said.

    Obioma reminded the party leaders of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010(as amended) that prescribed acceptable code of conduct for political parties and their candidates during  campaigns.

    “We hereby draw your attention to sections 94 and 102 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and Article 3 of political parties’ code of conduct.

    “Political parties, their candidates, officials and agents are expected to conduct their political campaigns within the ambit of the law.

    “They are to work towards ensuring an environment conducive for successful, peaceful, free and fair election campaigns”.

    He said the commission, in accordance with the extant electoral laws,. had stipulated campaign spending limits for the various elective  positions and corresponding penalties for violation.

    According to him, campaign spending limit for presidential election is N1 billion, while penalty for violation is N1 million or 12-month imprisonment or both.

    Obioma said that governorship  campaign spending limit was N200 million with penalty of N600,000 or six-month imprisonment or both, while Senatorial and house of representatives spending limits were N40 million and N20 million respectively.

    He said that defaulters would pay N600,000 or risk six-month jail term or both.

    The resident commissioner said that campaign funding for candidates vying for state house of assembly was pegged at N10 million with N300,000 penalty or three months’ imprisonment or both.

    “Political parties are expected to comply with provisions of the law in this regard by reporting their financial transactions to the commission,” he said.

    Obioma urged the party leaders to sensitise the electorate on dangers  inherent in vote selling and vote buying, while appealing to them to mobilise voters  to collect their PVCs.

    NAN

  • CVR: INEC registers 318, 255 in Edo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) registered 318, 255 persons in Edo during the recently-concluded Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

    According to a document obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the figure is comprised of those registered between April 27, 2017 and Aug. 30, 2018.

    The document showed that the Edo South Senatorial District, which comprises of seven Local Government Areas, had the highest figure of 204,539, representing 64.26 per cent of the total figure.

    The district is closely followed by the Edo North Senatorial District with six Local Government Areas, which had 73, 069, representing 22.96 per cent.

    The document further showed that Edo Central with five Council Areas, had a total of 40,647 persons, representing 12.78 per cent, registered during the exercise.

    NAN reports that a further breakdown of the figures according to the Local Government councils, revealed that Ikpoba-Okha from the South, had a total of 56, 254 persons, representing 17.7 respectively, per cent of the total figure for the state.

    It was followed by Oredo and Egor Local Governments, both from the southern Senatorial district, with 45,344 (14.25 per cent) and 39, 647 (12.5 per cent), respectively.

    Read Also: INEC to print 16.5m PVCs before 2019 general elections

    Esan Central (Edo Central), Etsako Central (Edo North) and Igueben (Edo Central), came in the rear with 6,352, 6,626 and 4,089, respectively.

    On the basis of percentage performance, the three council areas scored 2.0 per cent, 2.1 per cent and 1.51 per cent, respectively.

    NAN reports that Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area which had the highest figure, also produce the ward with the highest number of registered voters, with a total number of 10, 315, representing 3.24 per cent, registered in ward 7.

  • INEC extends CVR registration time to weekends, public holidays

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday announced the inclusion of weekends and public holidays as word days of its personnel in ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

    It, however, stated that the extension to those days would commence on Aug. 1 and end on Aug. 17 when the exercise would be suspended until after the 2019 general elections.

    This commission disclosed this in statement by its
    National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Haruna, in Abuja.

    The statement said that decision to extend the registration period was reached at commission’s meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from all the states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which reviewed the nationwide exercise.

    It added that the exercise would also be extended from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, instead of the current daily duration of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    “Against the backdrop of the decision to suspend the exercise from Aug.17 until after the 2019 general elections, it was resolved that starting from Aug. 1, the CVR exercise will take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. instead of 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. as obtains presently.

    “It was also resolved that there will also be registration on Saturdays and Sundays as well as public holidays (if any) within the period.”

    The commission assured Nigerians of its commitment to ensuring free, fair and credible elections in 2019, and said that it had reviewed the conduct of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti.

    It also said that it had started preparations for the governorship election Osun scheduled for Sept. 22.

    “INEC noted the satisfactory conduct of the Ekiti governorship election as attested to by both domestic and international Observers, the Media and other Stakeholders.

    “The meeting also noted with deep concern, the rising phenomenon of vote-buying during elections and restates its commitment and determination to continue to work with all stakeholders, especially the security agencies, to stem the ugly trend.” (NAN)

  • APC sets up committee to mobilise eligible voters on CVR

    APC sets up committee to mobilise eligible voters on CVR

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Ebonyi State has set up a six-man committee on voter education to mobilize eligible voters to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

    The six-man committee comprised Mr Okenwa Uka as Chairman and Gibson Nnachi as secretary.

    The State Chairman of the party, Mr Eze Nwachukwu inaugurated the committee on Monday in Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi at a sensitisation to mobilize the people to participate in the exercise.

    Nwachukwu charged the committee to liaise with community leaders, traditional rulers, women groups to mobilize eligible electorate at wards, villages and communities.

    Read also: Ondo APC urges Buhari to dissolve NDDC board

    The chairman urged the committee to report difficulties that might be encountered to the state secretariat for prompt action.

    “Report issues of breakdown of INEC registration machines or any other difficulties you may encounter promptly to our office.

    “We count on you for the success of the exercise in Afikpo South and you must live up to the confidence reposed on you,” he said.

    Nwachukwu also appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, youth organizations and political stakeholders in the state to effectively mobilise eligible voters to participate in the CVR.

    He advised the people against selling their PVCs or exchanging it for whatever reason, as the voter card remained the only power and right available to them to choose leaders of their choice.

    “Do not sell or exchange your voter card. The card is the only legal right and power you have to participate in the election.

    “Report any person or persons engaging in buying, selling or hoarding of the PVCs to the police or any law enforcement agency.

    He assured that the APC was committed to conducting free, fair and credible general elections in 2019.

    “The era of election malpractices, forceful snatching and stuffing of ballot boxes during elections in Ebonyi are over.

    “We are here in Edda today to appeal to every eligible voter, especially those who are yet to register and obtain their voter card, to go and register and collect their Permanent Voter Card ( PVC ).

    “Any eligible voter without his or her PVC is in error and not a good indigene of Edda. It is your civic right to vote and you cannot vote without being first registered and obtain the PVC which is your authority to vote.

    “The system being put in place by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to conduct, regulate and monitor the 2019 general elections will make rigging impossibile.

    “As party in control of the Federal Government, we want to reassure the electorate that votes will count and that only leaders freely elected by the people in a free, fair and credible process will emerge.

    “The FG and INEC have demonstrated this commitment in the governorship and senatorial elections held recently in Anambara and same will be replicated in Ebonyi in 2019,” Nwachukwu said.

    The chairman on behalf of other committee members assured the party of commitment to the task, pledging not to leave any stone unturned in effective mobilisation.

    NAN

  • INEC debunks rumours of deadline for CVR

    INEC debunks rumours of deadline for CVR

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has debunked the rumour that ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) would end on January 31, 2018.

    Head of Publicity of the commission in Lagos State, Mr Femi Akinbiyi, said in a statement on Friday “it has come to the notice of the Commission in Lagos State the rumours going round that the CVR would end on January 31, 2018.

    “We, therefore, wish to inform the people that the Continuous Voter Registration is still on.

    “In line with the provision of section 9 (5) of the Electoral Act (as amended), Continuous Voter Registration will be temporarily suspended 60 days to the commencement of the General Elections scheduled for February, 2019”.

    According to him, all eligible voters in the state, who has not registered before are encouraged to register at all INEC offices in the 20 local government areas in the state.

    Also Read: 2019: INEC fixes presidential, National Assembly polls for Feb 16

    Akinbiyi said that concerned residents could also go to other officially designated areas within the state between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Monday to Friday every week, excluding public holidays, for registration.

    “In response to the citizens’ plea to have centres closer to their domain, the Commission in the State has rotation plan for some Registration Centres within the Registration Areas (Ward) in each of the local government areas.

    “Also, the names of those who registered in the first and second quarters have been uploaded in the Commission’s website.’’

    Meanwhile, said on telephone that the rumour had made eligible persons to besiege registration centres daily, to register.

    NAN

  • NIS sensitises foreigners on need to steer clear voter registration

    NIS sensitises foreigners on need to steer clear voter registration

    The Adamawa Command of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has commenced sensitisation of foreign nationals in the state against participating in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

    The Deputy Controller of Immigration in charge of Border Management, Mr Bappa Idris, disclosed this on Friday at a stakeholder meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Yola.

    Idris said that the command had embarked on enlightening of the foreign nationals through their leaders on the need to steer clear the exercise.

    “We made it clear to them that this is a Nigerian affair and it’s a serious offence for them to participate in it.

    “We also intend to intensify border patrol a week to the election date to check cross-border movement,” Idris said.

    He solicited for public support to the service and other security agencies to ensure a hitch-free election.

    The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Kassim Gaidam, said so far a total of 154, 791 people had been registered in the state.

    “This figure is, however, is subject to purging and the reduplication process which will bring the figure down.

    “INEC will conduct further display to enable those with challenges in their registration to take measures and become eligible voters,” Gaidam said.

    NAN

  • ‘Don’t campaign under guise of voter education’-INEC tells politicians

    ‘Don’t campaign under guise of voter education’-INEC tells politicians

    The Independent National Electoral Commission  ( INEC ) has urged politicians in the country not to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to campaign.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, gave the caution in Enugu on Thursday while speaking with the Reporter.

    “The government should play by the rules. You do not campaign under the guise of mobilisation when INEC has not lifted the ban on campaign.

    “Government should continue to work towards realizing free, credible and transparent election and no one should position or look for undue advantage,” Ononamadu said.

    The REC said that the government also had a role to play in order to guarantee credible polls, adding that they needed to play by the rules when mobilising the electorate for the CVR.

    Ononamadu stressed the need for the electorate in the state to take the exercise more seriously.

    He said that the exercise had provided an ample opportunity for residents of the state to take their destinies into their hands.

    “The CVR is catching up well in Enugu State but we need to do better. People have started coming up in their numbers since the beginning of this year.

    Read Also: Cost of 2019 election not ready, says INEC boss

    “I think Enugu people will need to buckle up. This is an ample opportunity that has been provided to citizens by INEC as required by law,” he said.

    The REC said that the commission had been sensitizing the electorates on the need to register in order to perform their civic responsibilities.

    According to him, we used the yuletide to reach out to people in rural areas as well as in churches.

    Ononamadu noted that people were beginning to have a renewed confidence in the electoral umpire due to its excellent conducts in recent outings.

    He said that the exercise had been violent free in the state, adding that it was continuous and would stop 60 days before any general election according to the law.

    “When we started people were not too sure whether it was going to work or not but today they have seen that INEC is serious in terms of implementing its entire statutory mandate,” he said.

    Ononamadu, however, said that it was sad that people were still suspecting whether or not their vote would count.

    “I wonder what gave them that illusion because INEC had demonstrated in strong terms and statements that we are here to protect the mandate of Nigerians and that is what we shall do,” he said.

    He said that the commission had intensified efforts to sensitise residents of the state with a view to either registering or picking up their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    He said that the state had 1.6 million voting strength based on the ongoing registration, adding that about 127, 000 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) had yet to be collected.

    NAN

  • INEC registers 68, 079 voters in Kwara; creates 10 additional centers

    INEC registers 68, 079 voters in Kwara; creates 10 additional centers

    Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) says it has registered 68, 079 voters in Kwara since the commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

    Mr Paul Atser, INEC Administrative Secretary made this known on Thursday in Ilorin while briefing stakeholders on the exercise.

    He said that the commission had created 10 additional mobile registration centres in the state to bring the exercise closer to the people.

    The continuous registration began in April 2017 in all the 36 states of the federation including Abuja.

    Atser however frowned at the low pace of collection of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) since the commencement of the registration exercise in April.

    Read also: Over 657,000 PVCs unclaimed in Oyo State – INEC

    “It was sad to note that collection of permanent voter card was at its lowest ebb since April, 2017 to date.

     “Only 3, 069 PVCs have so far been collected out of the total 242, 069 unclaimed cards after 2015 elections.

     “As we speak, 239, 000 Permanent Voter Cards yet to be unclaimed,” Atser said.

    The Administrative Secretary therefore called on the people that had registered as voters to come for the collection of their voter cards.

    He said the new registration centres were located in Ilapa in Asa Local Government, Ilesha in Baruten, Tsonga in Edu, Igbaja in Ifelodun and Iponrin in Ilorin East.

    Other centres are Oro II in Irepodun, Kemanji in Kaiama, Shao in Moro, Igbana in Oke-Ero and Kpada in Patigi.

    Atser also appealed to eligible voters who had not register for their permanent voter card to do so to enable them exercise their franchise during the coming elections.

    NAN

  • 2019 election results will be transmitted electronically – INEC

    2019 election results will be transmitted electronically – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) said on Tuesday it has developed a technology that would enable it transmit election results electronically direct from polling units to the states’ headquarters.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ebonyi, Prof. Godswill Obioma, disclosed this at a meeting with faith-based organizations in Abakaliki.

    According to him, the new technology is part of efforts by the Commission to eliminate rigging, electoral frauds and other irregularities and to ensure the enthronement of credibility and transparency in the electoral process.

    Obioma reassured the electorate that their votes would count in the 2019 general elections and urged them to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

    He said: “INEC is strengthening the process of transmitting election results electronically direct from polling booths to INEC headquarters.

    “We hope that the latest technological innovation would be perfected and deployed in the 2019 general elections.

    “The new strategy would discourage politicians from ballot box snatching, stuffing of ballot boxes and indulgence in other forms of electoral irregularities.

    “The commission would do everything to ensure that votes count in 2019 and that those who would emerge do that through popular votes.

    “We have only one message and the message is that you come out and register and ensure that you collect your PVC to qualify you to exercise your franchise.”

    Read also: 2019: INEC to partner political parties for credible elections

    The REC explained that the meeting was part of conscious efforts by INEC to build strategic partnership and alliance that would be harnessed to mobilize the electorate.

    “This meeting is aimed at jointly charting strategic paths for a credible 2019 elections and to see in what best ways we can partner with the organizations to reach out to their members.

    “It is also to mobilize those who are 18 years and above to come out and register and collect their PVCs,” he added.

    Obioma explained that making the electoral process more inclusive by getting more people involved in civic responsibilities would reduce political tension and those chosen in elections would be better accepted as representatives of the people.

    He said that the commission had embarked on aggressive sensitisation and voter education since he resumed office as REC in Ebonyi on July 12.

    “We have undertaken stakeholders’ town hall meetings in all the 13 local government areas of the state where we met with the people in their localities and sensitise them to the continuous voter registration.

    “We followed the town hall meetings with the stakeholders’ village square meetings in the wards across the local government areas.

    “We listened to their views on how we can do better in our programmes to achieve greater penetration in the society,” he said.

    Reports say no fewer than 50 representatives of faith-based organisations, including Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs attended the meeting.

    NAN