The Anambra State offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have been overstretched following upsurge in the number of prospective voters seeking to register at the on-going Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, ,REC, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji told reporters in Awka yesterday that the upsurge in the number of prospective registrants has put substantial pressure on the resources and capacity of the Commission.
At the INEC state headquarters in Awka and the Commission’s offices in all the local government areas, there were long queues by mainly youths, most of whom said they had never taken the issue of voting during elections serious in the past, adding that 2023 is the time for them to exercise their voting power.
According to the registrants, they do not mind the time spent and other inconveniences suffered as long as they obtain their voters cards.
The REC, who regretted the inconveniences on the part of the registrants said: “The Commission is addressing these challenges through measures such as creation of additional registration centres in the state and LGA offices, as well as reopening of some LGA offices that were shut down as a result of insecurity in the state.
“The Commission wishes to appeal to prospective registrants to exercise patience and understanding with the situation”.
He denied the allegation that INEC officials were demanding money to attend to the people saying, “The public is reminded that registration in the CVR exercise is free of charge. “The Commission is ready to work with the public to fish out and discipline any staff of the Commission engaged in extortion or any other form of misconduct during the exercise.
“Members of the public should feel free to contact the Commission for enquiries and complaints”,
He added that contrary to false reports in several channels, the CVR exercise would continue until 30th June, 2022.