Voter registration: INEC to deploy 209 machines in seven states to ease congestion

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 209 additional machines will be deployed across seven states to ease congestion at centres for voter registration.

Festus Okoye, chairman of INEC’s information and voter education committee, announced the development in a statement issued on Friday.

The development comes amid complaints in some states over congestion at registration centres in recent days.

Okoye, however, urged Nigerians to be patient as the commission will ensure that all eligible voters are registered.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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.

“The Commission appeals for patience and understanding of all citizens. Every Nigerian who is 18 years of age and above has the constitutional right to register and vote in any part of the country he/she resides without let or hinderance.

“The sudden surge is an affirmation of the increasing confidence Nigerians have in our electoral process. The Commission will continue to ensure that this confidence is sustained.”