Benin City, Edo State – The commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State encountered network hitches on Monday.
Despite challenges, INEC proceeded with the registration for individuals aged 18 and above, as well as those wishing to transfer their permanent voter cards (PVC) to new locations.
Numerous registration centres, including Asoro Primary School, Idia College, and Western Boys College in Benin City, witnessed a significant turnout of eager registrants. However, attendees expressed disappointment as the registration machines experienced network issues.
At Asoro Primary School, attendees voiced concerns over network challenges, urging INEC to address the issue promptly to ensure their participation in the upcoming election.
Speaking anonymously, a National Youth Service Corps member serving as an INEC ad hoc staff member confirmed the network connectivity issues but assured attendees that registration would proceed once the network was restored.
Similar network complaints were reported at Idia College and Western Boys College, although attendees who had not yet collected their PVCs took advantage of the opportunity to do so.
Meanwhile, Prof Rhoda Gumus, INEC National Commissioner overseeing Edo, Delta, and Cross River, commended the registration process during her visit to the Ikpoba-Okha registration area. She encouraged registrants to remain patient, assuring them of successful registration.
State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Anugbum Onuoha affirmed INEC’s preparedness for the exercise, emphasizing that the recent flood disaster, which damaged some equipment, did not deter the commission. While initial network challenges were experienced, Onuoha confirmed their resolution and expressed optimism for a successful exercise.
Both CVR and PVC collections will run for ten days, from May 27 to June 5, 2024, from 9 am to 3 pm daily, including weekends. Despite initial setbacks, INEC remains resolute in facilitating widespread participation in the electoral process.
