2023 Elections: CSO's Calls On Inec to Extend Online Continuous Voter Registration(CVR)

......Says Voters Interest Must be Prioritized

The recent surge of the citizens of the country to participate in the electoral process of the country may have received a boost as Civil Society Organizations (CSO's)across the Federation has launched a passionate appeal to the Independent National Electoral commission (Inec) to extend the  voters registration exercise  even as the Portal for Online registration and pre registration closes on  tMay 30th 2022 and June 30th respectively.

In a statement made available and signed by heads of various Civil Society Organisations dated may 30th 2022,  the body  believes that having granted an extension to Political parties in the appeal of Primary Elections, such should be allowed to people who wants to register for their voters card as well.

It argued, that the  people have come to realize the importance of participating in the electoral process of selecting who leads the country and priority should be given to those who are registering for the very first time, those who want to transfer their permanent voters card and those who want to replace lost or damaged ones.

The paper read inter alia: It is worthy to note that voters are critical stakeholders in the electoral process and should be treated as such, more so, we are certain that extending  the deadline for voters registration would be entirely in consonance with constitutional and International standards and the electoral act of 2022 as well.

The league of the CSO's include; Executive Director of Speak Out Africa Initiative Kennet Eze, Habeeb Tajudeen Team lead Yvote Naija,Daisi Omokungbe Executive Director Promad foundation, Emeka Lekuwa and Team Lead, Civily. Others are Ebenizar Wikina, Founder Policy shapers,Ephraim Ekenwa Executive Director, Lead Africa and Omowumi Ogunrotimi, Executive Director, Gender Mobile Initiative.

It called on Inec to make use of the fact that it is independent and should therefore be impartial by treating citizens equally and fairly  as perception of the public matters in deepening of the country's democracy.