CVR: Report erring INEC officials – Secretary
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State has urged the public to report any of its officials engaging in sharp practices during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) for necessary action.
Dr Mudashiru Mustapha, Administrative Secretary of INEC in Lagos, made the call on Thursday, at a stakeholders meeting organised by the electoral body in the state.
He spoke following allegations at the meeting of misconduct made against some of the officials involved in the exercise
The meeting was to inform relevant stakeholders of the additional 25 CVR centres opened in the state and seek their support in sensitizing the populace.
Mustapha said the commission would not tolerate any misconduct by its officers involved in the exercise.
He said the commission was partnering with National Orientation Agency and tertiary institutions to ensure adequate publicity on the CVR in the state.
According to him, jingles in various languages are being produced for the broadcast media, while logistics are being put in place to commence street-to-street awareness programme.
The Director, National Orientation Agency Mr Waheed Ishola, urged political parties to cooperate with INEC and help in sensitisation, since they were closer to the people.
According to him, it is only when more people are sensitised and register to vote that the nation can have credible and successful elections.
Members of political parties present at the meeting said that redoubling of efforts in creating public awareness on the CVR would lead to more success and also raised some observations on the exercise.
Mr Charles Odugbesi, a representative of All Progressives Congress (APC), said that some of the new centres, especially in Ikorodu were not strategically located.
According to him, the centre should have been situated in Ijede area.
”For people who reside in Ijede area of Ikorodu, they have to travel far and pay more to get to the CVR centres. The same thing applies to people in some other areas of Ikorodu.
”We are appealing to INEC to do something about this to so that we can capture the high population in Ikorodu area and curb voter apathy, ” he said.
Another stakeholder, Mr Adegboyega Adeniji of Peoples Redemption Party urged INEC to move some of the registration centres to residential areas to encourage eligible voters.
”Some of the centres, especially in Victoria Island, are useless because that area is mostly a working environment and people do not reside there.
”These centres should be moved to residential areas like Sangotedo, Langbasa and the rest to capture more people, ” he said.
