The Independent National Electoral Commission has sought collaboration with Civil Society Organisations in mobilising prospective registrants for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
The call came as part of efforts to ensure a smooth and efficient voter registration process ahead of the polls.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the call at the second quarterly consultative meeting with CSOs in Abuja, on Tuesday.
The Edo State governorship election would be held on September 21, 2024, while the Ondo State governorship poll would be held on November 16, 2024.
Ahead of the polls, the electoral commission, on Monday, unveiled plans to commence the Continuous Voter Registration from May 27.
The exercise would last till June 5, 2024.
INEC highlighted the potential challenges posed by last-minute registrants crowding registration centres as the deadline approaches.
Yakubu said, “The commission, therefore, appeals to CSOs 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.”
Yakubu stressed the importance of CSOs submitting their applications for election observation promptly, along with all required supporting documents and an accurate count of individual observers.
The proactive approach, the INEC chairman said, would facilitate the timely production and delivery of identity cards for observers by the commission.
“As we inch closer to Election Day in Edo State, it is also imperative to remind CSOs of the need to submit your applications for election observation in earnest, along with the required supporting documents and a realistic number of individual observers.
“Doing so will enable the commission to produce and deliver the identity cards for observers in good time.
“The commission will not entertain requests outside the deadline for the receipt of applications from interested observer groups or process applications that do not meet the criteria,” he stated.
Yakubu underscored the mandatory nature of submitting reports from previous accreditations in the specified format outlined by the commission for continued participation in election observation.
Addressing the status of reports from previous accreditations, Yakubu noted that while many accredited observers had submitted their reports, a few were yet to do so.
“For emphasis, submission of reports from previous accreditation in the manner required by the commission is mandatory for continuous participation in election observation.
“Since our last meeting two months ago, many accredited observers have submitted their reports but a few are yet to do so.
“We urge you to do the needful. Your reports are important for us in reviewing and improving our processes and procedures,” he added.
The President of the International Institute of Leadership and Governance, Paddy Njoku, who spoke on behalf of the CSOs, pledged to meet all the demands put forth by the INEC.
Njoku stressed the need to strengthen and foster the relationship between the CSOs and INEC for continued growth.
“We promise to fulfil all the demands you have made of us and that this relationship should be strengthened and continue to grow,” he said.
Meanwhile, political Parties in Edo State have called on their supporters and those who have attained the voting age to take advantage of the registration window opened by INEC.
They also called on INEC to ensure that logistics and materials to ensure a hitch-free exercise are provided, while noting that voters registration should be a year-round exercise.
The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Peter Uwadiae, made the call in an interview in Benin.
Uwadiae said, “INEC has started well by ensuring that there is registration before the election. We have spoken to our members with a view to encouraging them to register.
“My only worry is the time earmarked for this exercise which is May 27 to June 5. From experience, I know that 10 days is not enough to carry out this exercise. Beyond registering new voters, the window also make provision for voters who want to leave a state for another, from one LG to another, from one ward to another and from one polling unit to another.
“This exercise may look simple but it is a Herculean task due to the logistics involved. The time should be extended to ensure many who have not registered have the opportunity to do so.”
Also, Edo State chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Tony Aziegbemi, said the registration should not be about party supporters alone but all eligible voters in the state.
He said, “The registration is not about mobilising PDP supporters to register but to tell Edo people to come out en mase and register
“At this point it’s about people going out to register so that can be part of the electoral process that will usher in a new government
“So, we are going to mobilise everyone to register; not only PDP members. After registration, we will now campaign to them to vote for the PDP candidate.”
The state Labour Party Publicity Secretary, Sam Uroupa described the registration as a welcome development while urging INEC to ensure the exercise gets to rural dwellers.
He noted, “It is a welcome development and we are encouraging all our supporters to take advantage of the exercise. Those who are now 18 should go out and register as well as those who want to change location and do revalidation.
“But we are appealing to INEC to ensure that registration materials are provided so that when the people go out to register, there will be an opportunity for them to do so.
“They must ensure that they reach the rural dwellers. Also, the registration should be an all-year-round exercise not just during the election period so that people can register the moment they turn 18.
“However, we urge our supporters to go out in large numbers so that they can have the opportunity to vote for the LP candidate.”
