In preparation for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States scheduled for September and November 2024 respectively, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been engaging with stakeholders in the electoral process. INEC has therefore appealed to the media to assist in mobilizing new registrants for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) Exercise scheduled to commence in both States on 27th May 2024.
The Commission emphasized the importance of early registration to prevent last-minute rush that could lead to overcrowded registration centers.
The INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu made this appeal during the Second Quarterly Consultative Meeting with Media Executives held on Wednesday, 15th May 2024 at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja.
The Chairman explained that due to time constraints, the CVR will be conducted at the ward level and state offices in both states. He announced that training for at least 794 officials drawn from the National Youth Service Scheme and the Commission’s regular staff who will manage the CVR will commence shortly.
“The Commission therefore appeals to the media to join us in mobilising prospective registrants for the exercise, particularly on the need to register early and not wait until the deadline approaches when the registration centres will be inundated by eleventh hour registrants.”, Prof. Yakubu stated.
Canvassing their support on mobilizing for Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) collection the INEC Chairman said, “In addition to the registration of voters, the Commission will also make available the uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for collection during the CVR exercise. In the coming days, the list of uncollected PVCs will be published in our offices in the two States and simultaneously uploaded to our website.”
“We believe doing so will make it easier for voters to collect their PVCs, however; no PVCs will be collected by proxy. Registered voters should come in person to collect their cards. Again, we seek the support of CSOs in encouraging voters to locate and pick up their PVCs as was done in the past.”
Furthermore, the Chairman urged media organisations to promptly submit their applications for accreditation to cover and report on the elections as soon as the application portal opens. He warned that the Commission will not entertain requests submitted after the application deadline.
According to him, early application within the allowed timeframe will enable the Commission to produce and deliver the identity cards for journalists covering the election in good time. “The Commission will not entertain requests outside the deadline for the receipt of applications from interested media organisations or process requests that do not meet the criteria for accreditation.”
In his response, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo represented by the National Secretary of the NUJ, Achike Chude praised the Commission for its transparency and openness in engaging with the media.
He emphasized the media’s unwavering commitment to getting things right in the country is ironclad. “There is no disputation, no hesitancy about that,” he stated.
In his words, “With regards to the forthcoming elections, I want to assure the INEC Chairman and the citizens of this great country that the media will not be found wanting. We will amplify your voice. Just as we have done previously, we will create the right environment, the right atmosphere to ensure our people will be motivated enough to come out to exercise their franchise.”
The NUJ President emphasized that while the media has been given significant responsibility, it is equally important for INEC to do its part and make every effort to get it right.
