The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says the fourth and last quarter of the Continuous Voter’s Registration, CVR will commence on Monday, 11th April 2022 and last till 30th June 2022.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Dr Mutiu Agboke made this known during the stakeholders meeting on CVR and its devolution to the ward level at INEC Collation Centre, Ibadan.
Dr Agboke explained that the devolution of CVR to the 351 wards in the state following the expansion of voter access to polling units was to allow Nigerians who have not registered to enrol and those who want to change locations or replace defaced or damaged PVCs.
He gave assurance that all pending PVCs would be available before the 2023 general elections, noting that the commission has concluded work on the Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and Election Project Plan for 2023 polls.
Dr Agboke confirmed that INEC has resolved the wrong siting of newly converted polling units between Ogbomoso North and Surulere Local governments.
Speaking on behalf of other security agencies, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mrs Ngozi Onadeko represented by Mr Ademola Ajakaye promised adequate security of lives and property before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.
Oyo State Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Dr Olukemi Afolarin stated that deepening democracy and the need to move Nigeria forward was a collective task while calling on religious leaders to disseminate information on the necessity to collect PVCs and ensure peaceful conduct at all times.
The chairman of, Inter-Party Advisory Committee, IPAC in Oyo State, Apostle Dare Ojo promised that political actors would play the game according to rules for a better outcome in the next general elections.
A representative of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mrs Roseline Oniyide appealed for the provision of guides and amenities for special people to make it easier for them to vote on election day.
The Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abubakar Agbotomokekere represented by Ustadh Hassan Ameen and a representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Oyo State, Bishop Daniel Oluwajimade pointed out that the pulpit has always been used to sensitize the congregation on the importance of participation in the electoral process.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke paid a courtesy visit to the Olubaban of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun to celebrate his recent installation and keep him abreast of INEC’s activities, as well as soliciting the intervention of traditional institution for a repeat of success in 2023.
Responding, the Olubaban of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, observed that there was the need for all and sundry to do the right thing, irrespective of political affiliations to have credible and peaceful elections in 2023.
Sherrifdeen Nasirudeen
