In its response to complaints of inadequate facilities and centres in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has released additional 209 machines to the five states of the southeast, Kano and Lagos.

INEC’s Festus Okoye, who made the disclosure in a statement, said the measure became necessary, given unprecedented surge in the number of citizens that wish to register as voters and the challenges they face across the country.

Complaints of insufficient centres and facilities have trailed the exercise, especially in the Southeast and some parts of Lagos and Kano.

For example, the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, had called on INEC to ensure that eligible Nigerians are not denied their rights of registration and voting in 2023.

INEC statement reads: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received reports from our States indicating an unprecedented surge in the number of citizens that wish to register as voters and the challenges they face across the country. In some States, the sudden turnout of prospective registrants is overwhelming.

“Consequently, the Commission convened an urgent meeting with all the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) yesterday Thursday 9th June 2022 to review the situation so that eligible Nigerians who wish to register are able to do so. The necessity to urgently deploy more voter enrolment machines to ease the congestion at the registration centres was identified as a priority.

“In response, the Commission has immediately released additional 209 machines deployed mainly to the five South Eastern States, Lagos and Kano where the pressure is most acute.

“The Commission will monitor the situation over the next few days. Thereafter, it will meet to review the progress of the exercise.

“Every step will be taken and all options will be explored to ensure that eligible Nigerians are given the opportunity to register as voters.

Picture: INEC Chair M. Yakubu