The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it has deployed additional 209 bimodal machines to the five South Eastern States, Lagos and Kano to tackle the sudden surge in registrations.
INEC disclosed that it has received reports from states indicating an unprecedented surge in the number of citizens that wish to register as voters and the challenges they face across the country.
The commission, in a statement by its Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Barr. Festus Okoye, added that in some states, the sudden turnout of prospective registrants was overwhelming.
“Consequently, the Commission convened an urgent meeting with all the Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, yesterday Thursday 9th June 2022 to review the situation so that eligible Nigerians who wish to register are able to do so. The necessity to urgently deploy more voter enrolment machines to ease the congestion at the registration centres was identified as a priority.
“In response, the Commission has immediately released additional 209 machines deployed mainly to the five South Eastern States, Lagos and Kano where the pressure is most acute,” he said
According to him, the commission will monitor the situation over the next few days. Thereafter, it will meet to review the progress of the exercise.
He said every step will be taken and all options will be explored to ensure that eligible Nigerians are given the opportunity to register as voters.
“The Commission appeals for patience and understanding of all citizens. Every Nigerian who is 18 years of age and above has the constitutional right to register and vote in any part of the country he/she resides without let or hinderance.
“The sudden surge is an affirmation of the increasing confidence Nigerians have in our electoral process. The Commission will continue to ensure that this confidence is sustained,” he said