… _says voters’ consideration more paramount and justifiable_
Colliation of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria have call on the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to extend the online continuous voter registration to accommodate more eligible voters register.
The CSOs made the appeal in a press statement in Abuja yesterday through the Executive Directors of seven organizations namely, Kenneth Eze, Executive Director, Speak Out Africa Initiative, Kabibeeb Adewale, Team Lead, YVoteNaija, Daisi Omokungbe, Executive Director, PROMAD Foundation, Eme Lekuwa, Team Lead, Civily, Ebenizar Wikina, Founder, Policy Shapers, Ephraim Okenwa, Executive Director, LEAD Africa and Omowumi Ogunrotimi, Executive Director, Gender Mobile Initiative.
They opined that rising from the influx trailing the recent turnout of Nigerians willing to perform their civic duties in 2023 off-cycle elections, vis-a-vis the odd against them regarding time, especially the “first-time voters”, it is unavoidably pertinent that the electoral umpire considers the extension of the deadline for continuous voter registration.
The statement said this is to enable more enthusiastic eligible voters to be accommodated democratically and in addition, it will also allow those who want to move/transfer their PVC, correct names, and date of birth, to do so.
According to them, the call is necessary because Nigerians are aware that the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) ends by 30 June 2022 while online pre-registration ends by May 30 2022 – a situation that has thrown more panic in the process as centers/platforms are seen being populated and experiencing high-hive of traffic activities.
“In what many people see as having played to the gallery of political parties cum politicians regarding INEC’s one-week extension of party primaries, the more widely acceptable option would have been an extension for the continuous voter registration cum online pre-registration deadline to give room for more Nigerians to exercise
their franchise.
“To date, the larger society still finds it difficult to come to terms with the rationale why the INEC suddenly rescinded her earlier position of not going to yield to the political party’s pressure on party primary extension even when there was no convincing basis for doing such.
“A more worrying part is the reactions from many quarters casting aspersions on INEC’s image as not truly “independent” (which is not good for the institution), especially from the leading opposition party who were in
the wee of their presidential primary while the announcement was made -a scenario many views as changing the goal post while the match had
already started.
“While we admit INEC early kickoff notice for citizens to go out for continuous voter registration, we must also take cognizance of the teeming new potential voters, most of which are moved by the recent development of events in the country as well as CSOs voter education campaigns across the board.
“Alarmingly, this set of voters is now being driven by new narratives against the old norm; embracing the power of the ballot. Hence, the door must not be shut at them as in them lies our strength as a nation, and we must harvest them.
“On the other hand, it will be a thing of worry that INEC would yield to politicians/party primaries’ requests, and not consider the citizens’ demands; which is more honourable. Thus, this will be seen as playing a double standard. Albeit, INEC mandates ought to be exercised in a fair, just, and non-discriminatory manner.
“It’s worthy to note that Voters are critical stakeholders in the electoral process and should be treated as such. (as the saying: what is good for the goose is also good for the gander). Hence, treating all eligible Nigerian voters fairly would advance the people’s right to vote and to participate in their own government.”
“More so, we are certain that extending the deadline for voter registration would be entirely in consonance with constitutional and international standards, and the Electoral Act 2022 as well.
“Furthermore, any such extension would also not impact negatively the INEC’s election calendar and activities.
“To be candid, If voting is as important as the INEC always claims it is, now is the time to show that Nigerian voters will be treated equally and fairly as the future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on it.
They appealed to INEC to not only be independent and impartial in the exercise of its constitutional and statutory responsibilities but must also be seen to be independent and impartial as public perception from citizens also matters in deepening the nation’s democracy.