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The device was produced to help eligible Nigerians register as voters online prior to the physical completion of the process at designated centres throughout the nation. This information was revealed by INEC’s Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, during a quarterly meeting with media platforms in the country.
“The expansion of voters’ access to polling units prepares the ground for the discharge of another important responsibility of the Commission. The registration of eligible Nigerians as voters is one of the immediate tasks before the Commission. Consequently, in the next one week i.e. Monday 28th June 2021, the Commission will resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide. In doing so, the Commission is introducing a portal to enable eligible Nigerians to commence registration as voters online before completing the exercise physically at designated centres nationwide.” Mahmood YakubuYakubu also disclosed that this is the first time in the country’s electoral history that registration is partially handled online and appealed to the media for support towards ensuring that the process is successful.
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“This is the first time a major exercise of this nature is handled partially online consistent with the Commission’s commitment to continue to deepen the use of technology in the electoral process in Nigeria. Just like the expansion of voter access to Polling Units, the Commission appeals to the media for support so that this novel idea will also be successful. The CVR will be a major issue for discussion at this meeting. The Commission will demonstrate the procedure for the proposed online registration and also present the new INEC Voter Enrollment Device (IVED) to you shortly.” YakubuCommenting further, the INEC chief stated that the Continuous Voters Registration exercise will last for at least one year, and the commission projects a total of 20 million new registrations.
“We intend to undertake the CVR exercise over a period of at least one year. The success of the exercise depends to a considerable extent on citizens’ awareness through voter education. There will be new registrants, requests for intra-State and inter-State transfers as well as the replacement of voters’ cards as provided by law. Furthermore, with the relocation of voting points to underserved areas as autonomous polling units, there is need for massive publicity so that citizens are familiar with their voting locations well ahead of all forthcoming elections.” YakubuSources: Linda Ikeji Featured Image Source: GH Gossip
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