The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Independebt National Electoral Commission in Anambra State, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, has disclosed that the commission will not operate its offices in four Local Government Area of the state.
Orji stated this on Friday, and warned against campaign of calumny against the Commission in the ongoing continuous voters registration (CVR) exercise across the country.
Speaking in a press conference at the commission’s headquarters in Awka, the REC cited insecurity in the four Local Government Areas in Anambra’ State as the reason for the action.
Orji mentioned the four Local Government Areas as Ogbaru, Idemili North, Ayamelum and Nnewi South adding that the Commission can do little or nothing at the period.
According to him, the Commission said it would not be opening for operations in the troubled axis of the state because of its volatile insecurity nature.
Orji told the residents to ignore the purported reports of its workers charging money from the residents before registering them.
The REC further disclosed that reports of extortion of the residents had been reported in Nnewi North Local Government, where he said that the Commission quickly replaced and deployed new staff to the area.
He said the action was part of measures to ensure the credibility of the exercise across the state.
He appealed to the public to help the Commission with vital information that would help to the arrest of any of its staff trying to manipulate the system throughout the period of the CVR exercise.
According to Dr. Nkwachukwu, the commission is ready to ensure that the exercise is successful as was the case during the November 6 2021 governorship poll in the state.
He stated that the exercise would continue to run till June 30, 2022.
Nkwachukwu revealed that the commission and stakeholders were brainstorming on measures towards finding lasting solutions to pave the way for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the exercise in the areas where there are reports of insecurity.
“The Anambra State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has observed a recent surge in the number of citizens seeking to register during the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise.
“This surge in the number of prospective registrants has put the substantial pressure on the resources and capacity of the commission. It has also led to long queuing time and other inconveniences on the part of the prospective registrants.”
“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.”
“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 using the approved WhatsApp number.”Nkwachukwu said.
