2023 Elections: INEC Gives Final Say on Resumption of Voter Registration

• It seems that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will resume only after the 2023 general elections
• This is because INEC has insisted that resuming the CVR exercise will be realistically, logistically, and legally impossible
• According to the commission, it will be impossible to mobilise the manpower for the exercise before the coming polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally reacted to calls for it to resume the suspended Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

Speaking with Channels TV on Tuesday, November 22, Festus Okoye, INEC's national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, stated that it will be “constitutionally and legally impossible” for the commission to resume the CVR before the 2023 polls.

Concerning the earlier Federal High Court order which directed it to resume the exercise, Okoye claimed that INEC was yet to receive the certified true copies (CTCs) of the verdict, The Cable reports.

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In his view, the INEC commissioner said it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for the commission to mobilise the needed number of staff and security personnel for the CVR.

He noted:

“Realistically, it will be next to impossible for the commission to mobilise the necessary resources to go back and start the CVR.

“Second, realistically, it will be next to impossible to mobilise the number of personnel required to carry out the exercise.

“It will also be next to impossible to mobilise the number of security personnel that will be required to continue the CVR.

“Realistically, it will be logistically impossible for the commission to mobilise and go back to the exercise.”

Court issues fresh directive to INEC on voter registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission had received a fresh order from the federal high court in Abuja to resume continuous voter registration.

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The court ruled that the exercise was supposed to last for 90 days before the 2023 general elections would commence.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the federal high court directed the electoral body not to deny eligible Nigerians the right to have the voter's card for the 2023 presidential election.

The judge said that it is the constitutional duty of the commission to make adequate provisions for the exercise and comply with Nigerian laws.

Source: Legit.ng