Voice Air Media, VAM News Update
Ahead of the Ondo and Edo state governorship elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct the registration of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) from Monday 27th May 2024 to Wednesday 5th June 2024.
The commission in a statement said it will make available collection of Uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) during the CVR process, and also publish the list of uncollected PVCs in its office at both states and simultaneously upload to it website.
Chairman of the Commission Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the second regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties for 2024, explained that in the process, registered voters could transfer registration from other states of the federation to Edo and Ondo States or from one location to another within the two states.
He said, “The Commission has already published the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship election following the conclusion of party primaries and the end of the period for withdrawal and substitution of candidates as provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.
“Campaign in public by political parties commenced on Wednesday 24th April 2024 and will end at midnight on Thursday 19th September 2024 i.e. 24 hours before the date fixed for the election as provided by law. Let me therefore seize this opportunity to once again reiterate to party leaders the need to continue to maintain law and order during the electioneering process and beyond.
“As we inch closer to Election Day in Edo State, it is also imperative to remind political parties of the need to adhere strictly to the timeline for the upload of the list of polling and collation agents to the dedicated portal. Doing so will enable the Commission to produce and deliver the identity cards in good time for the expected 76,823 Polling Unit agents and 3,587 Ward, Local Government and State collation agents for the 17 political parties participating in the election.
“Turning to Ondo State, political parties have just concluded their primaries. Eighteen (18) political parties conducted primaries monitored by the Commission. I wish to remind you that parties have one week to the deadline for the nomination of candidates which is 6.00pm on Monday 20th May 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down.
The commission chairman, urge the political parties to comply with the stated deadline, adding that the Political parties have been given 23 days (over three weeks) from the end of primaries to prepare and submit the list of only two candidates (Governorship candidate and running mate) to the Commission. “There will be no extension of time”, he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, lamented on frequent cross carpeting by national and state legislators as inimical to sustainable democracy, saying, “it is the remote cause of crisis in political parties and State Houses of Assembly, particularly when legislators decamp with impunity without cogent reasons. “
He said, the need to restore annual grant to political parties that was expunged from the constitution by the National Assembly, cannot be overemphasized.
“IPAC has set up its Constitution and Electoral Act Amendments Committee that will recommend aspects of the laws that need to be reviewed, and presented to the National Assembly for consideration.
“Local Government autonomy is essential for the survival of democracy in Nigeria as politics is local. Citizens must be encouraged to actively participate in grassroots politics that guarantees free and transparent polls.
Dantalle, further called on leaders of political parties to live by example in deepening democracy by ensuring an environment conducive for successful elections, political stability and peaceful electoral process in Nigeria. It is one way of restoring trust and confidence in the electoral system which will bolster voter’s turnout in elections.
“We are deeply concerned by the low voter’s turnout in recent years particularly in the 2023 general election. It calls for concerted effort by all stakeholders in the electoral process. For democracy to succeed, it is very important that eligible citizens are active participants. It is obvious that your vote is your voice; for your voice to be heard you must register to vote. Effective voter register ensures that citizens’ right to vote is protected. It is imperative that INEC maintains updated Register of Voters in real time.
“Ahead of the forthcoming Edo and Ondo States governorship elections, it is important that voters in the two states are massively mobilized to register and participate in the polls. As the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC will spearhead this crucial exercise in collaboration with INEC”.