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Edo govship: INEC begins continuous voter registration
Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the Continuous Voter Registration exercise to register voters who have just attained 18 years of age.
Our reporter, who monitored the exercise in Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas, observed as prospective voters collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards.
Addressing journalists on Monday at Ikpoba-Okha registration area in Benin, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Edo, Delta and Cross River, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise so far.
She urged the registrants to be patient, assuring that all of them would be registered.
“We have been to Oredo and we are here at Ikpoba-Okha registration area which we are using as our state head office registration centre because of the flood disaster that happened at our head office on Friday.
“So far, we are in touch with other registration areas within and outside Benin and the exercise is going on smoothly. As you can see, we have registered some people and others are still waiting.
“The process just started today and it is going on smoothly and it is impressive and commendable,” she said.
On his part, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Anugbum Onuoha, said INEC was well prepared for the exercise, noting that the flood that destroyed some of the commission’s equipment could not stop the exercise.
“We are here and witnessing large turnout of people who are here as either new registrants or to transfer their registration or for PVC collection,” he said.
According to him, INEC is prepared for the exercise and nothing will make the commission fail.
He noted that though they initially had network problems, it had been resolved, adding that the exercise was going on smoothly and would be successful.
