The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked reports saying the commission has resumed the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in some Local Government Areas of Imo State.
Recall that INEC suspended the registration exercise in some parts of the state following an attack by unknown gunmen on its registration centre in Amakohia Ward, Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area.
The gunmen launched the attack on Thursday, April 14, 2022, killing one INEC official in the process. Following the attack, INEC suspended the CVR exercise in the LGA.
On Monday, April 25, reports emerged that the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, announced that the electoral body would resume CVR in the state.
But in a statement released on Tuesday morning by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, the commission described the reports as false and misleading.
The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to media reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resumed the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in places where the exercise was earlier suspended in Imo State. This is misleading.
“It will be recalled that following the unfortunate incident in Imo State in which our staff was killed by gunmen in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area, and reports of insecurity in other parts of the State, the Commission suspended the ongoing voter registration exercise in all the 54 additional centres created to facilitate the registration of voters across the State. The exercise is still confined to our State and Local Government Area offices except in Orsu, Njaba and Ihitte Uboma Local Government Areas where it is suspended indefinitely. The position of the Commission has not changed.
“While the Commission is not unmindful of the imperative of giving every eligible Nigerian the opportunity to register and vote in future elections, the safety and security of citizens involved in the exercise is a paramount concern.
“We appeal to the public to discountenance the purported resumption of the CVR in the three LGAs of Orsu, Njaba and Ihitte Uboma. Such statements are capable of misleading the public and further jeopardizing the safety of registrants and officials as well as the security of the Commission’s facilities.
“At the appropriate time, the Commission will announce any new decision on the matter after consultation with the security agencies and critical stakeholders.
“The Commission has an organized and official means of communication and has been upfront with providing information to the general public.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission has not appointed any unofficial spokesperson on any its activities.”
