Political Parties In Nasarawa Rejects Centralization Of Continuous Voters Registration In Local Government Headquarters

Rabiu Omaku

Political Parties in Nasarawa has rejected the centralization of Continuous Voters Registration in the various Local Government headquarters in the exercise scheduled for 27, April 2017.

The state chairman of the opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party, Hon.Francis Orogu has said. the chairman appealed to the electoral umpire to extend the exercise to all wards and polling unit, saying only this would allow the people to vote during elections.

Aisha Isa,the headship of the National Centre for Women Society halve on the need to carry women along, Aisha advised the Independent National Electoral Commission to extend the CVR to hinterland.

“Centralising continuous voters registration would not augur well to women in the villages, other reasons was lack of money to move from their place of abode to Local Government headquarters”.

Lydia Attah also raised an eyebrow over prevention to vote during election.

Also the chairman of Independent Democrat and governorship contender in 2015 election, Barrister Haruna Favor faulted the electoral umpire for absence of Inter Party Advisory Committee whose function is to link all political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission issues affecting political parties in the state.

He advised INEC to ensure the placement of Voters list before the commencement of election, he also halve on the need to deploy more security operatives in the forthcoming elections.

The All Progressive Grand Alliance in the state also resisted the centralization of the proposed exercise to Local Government headquarters.

The state secretary, Hon.Sam Allu called on INEC to deploy more staff to polling units and wards level so as ensure a total success of the exercise.

Allu identified rainy season, terrain, insecurity and recession as a major preponderances that may hinders the success of the Continuous Voters Registration exercise.

The Executive Secretary, Engr.Akem expressed satisfaction with the crop of participants, stating that the stakeholders meeting was meant to fine tune certain exigencies of 2015 exercise.

Akem said INEC would improve on the CVR by making adjustment.

Other stakeholders also called for creation of more polling units.

“The main activities for the Continuous Voters Registration include

-Fresh registration

-Transfer of Voters Registration

-Distribution of permanent Voters Card

-Those who have lost their Voters card can also report to the registration centres

-Opportunity for those that turn 18 years.

-Opportunity for those that are absent during the last exercise

-Registered Voters who have Temporary Voters card but whose names are not on register of voters.