The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise is going on across Nigeria. The essence is for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to validate its national register, include more eligible voters and expand voters’ access to polling units.
Those that should take part in the exercise include Nigerians who have just attained the age of 18 and have never been registered to vote; any registered voter who experienced some difficulties during accreditation in the previous elections; registered voters who wish to change their voting locations and those whose Permanent Voter’s Cards are damaged, lost or defaced.
Others are those who wish to correct information such as names, date of birth and others in their cards; those who recently become Nigerian citizens or those who newly relocate to Nigeria and do not get PVC before, those of voting age who have registered before but their names are not on the voters Register and those who are of voting age who have registered in other states but now wish to transfer their registration to Anambra state. According to INEC, the registration is meant to reduce crowd at registration centres in line with the COVID-19 pandemic protocols.
The online registration, which started on Monday, will last for three weeks. It will enable people fill in their data and upload their passport photograph online. The second phase is biometric data capturing in INEC offices in all the local government areas. INEC will give a date online when those concerned will go to INEC office of their local government area for data capturing.
The essence is to cross check and confirm that the person that registered online is the person. INEC will start issuing temporary voter card to those who registered from July 19, 2021.
It is pertinent to note that Registration is a pre-requisite for exercising the right to vote. Those who do not have voter cards and whose names are not in the register of voters will not be allowed to vote on the Election Day. This is the crux of the matter. Many Nigerians complain about bad governance in the country, while others insist on continuity due to good governance in some states such as Anambra. Such persons need to know that one of the ways to effect leadership change or sustenance in a democracy is by voting during elections. Thus, to vote leaders of their choice, they must register ahead of elections and must come out to exercise their franchise when the need arises.
It is a veritable tool to protect the people’s interest in elections. Also, data so generated from the registration exercise provide basic statistics for planning and other activities that will benefit the state and its people. We all know that politics is a game of number. Therefore, the areas with greater number of voters will be beautiful brides to politicians and government.
Similarly, delineation of political wards and constituencies as well as creation of more states and local government areas is dependent on the number of voters within the area. Nowadays, voter card serves as a means of identification in banks, Sim card registration centres and other official and business transactions.
Thus, local government administrators, politicians, traditional and religious leaders, town unions and heads of ministries, departments and agencies as well as market, labour, Okada, Keke and other transport union leaders must enforce in their members, subjects and followers, the culture of registering to vote, if they have not done so before. In fact, obtaining voter card should be compulsory for all adults.
The online registration process is easy, less cumbersome and affordable. Anyone who has access to internet in their smart phone or laptop can do the online registration by themselves.
Moreover, credible elections are not a function of what INEC alone does or fails to do, but more a function of the commitment of all stakeholders to make positive contributions to the system.
WRITTEN BY DR. TIMOTHY IFEDIORANMA
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