2019 Election: Nationwide Voters Registeration starts from April 27

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced the date for commencement of a nationwide continuous voter registration, which is April 27, 2017.

The registration would hold in all the 774 local government areas of the federation.

The commission reveal this in a statement signed by Mrs. Amina Zakari the INEC National Commissioner, following her meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners and Administrative Secretaries from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The statement says that the exercise would take place on weekdays, that is Monday to Fridays, 9 a.m to 3 p.m excluding public holidays.

It also stated that the registration centres, shall be the local government offices of the commission or such other suitable locations as would be made public by the State Offices of lNEC.

It further stated that the decision was taken at the meeting following INEC consultations with stakeholders including political parties, civil society organisations and the media.

She said, “The exercise is intended to enable citizens who have turned 18 years of age since the last registration as well as those who did not register during the last exercise to register as voters.

“It will allow those seeking transfer of their registration from one State to another or within a State from polling unit to another to do so.

“The exercise also intends to enable the distribution of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to those who could not collect them before or since the last general elections.

“It will also enable citizens who have the Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) but whose names are on the register to collect their PVCs."

However, INEC advised those who were already registered not to do so again as it is an offence to register more than once.

“The commission wishes to reiterate its commitment to consolidating our democracy.

"This we are going to do by ensuring that citizens are given the opportunity to register as voters on a continuous basis as enshrined in the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) well before elections,’’ she added.

It, therefore, appealed to all citizens to cooperate with the commission to ensure the success of the exercise.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had initially said the registration exercise would continue to be a routine exercise once it commenced.

Source. NAN