The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it would soon resume its continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise which was aborted few months ago following the outbreak of COVID-19.
Prof. James Apam, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Kogi State, announced this on Wednesday at Onyadega, Ibaji Local Government area of the state.
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Apam, who was addressing stakeholders in preparation for the coming bye election in the local government, blamed the inability of the commission to register Nigerians of voting age in the area on the pandemic.
He assured that the commission would resume the exercise next year and appealed to those who would not be able to vote in the election to show understanding and bear with the commission.
He said that the bye election was necessitated by the sudden death of Hon. John Abah, who was representing the council in the state house of assembly sometime in June this year.
He said that the bye election to fill the vacant seat will hold along with others nationwide on Oct. 31, asking the people of the area to get ready to participate fully.
Unlike previous elections, he said that the time schedule for the election would be 8:30 am to 2:30pm, adding that it would hold strictly under the guidelines stipulated to curb the spread of corona virus.
Accordingly, he said that the INEC will provide water, sanitisers, methylated spirits and infrared thermometers at all the 148 polling units where the election will hold.
He said that similar arrangements will also be in place at all the collation centres.
Apam further explained that voters, electoral officials and security agents will be made to put on face mask on the day, appealing to parties and candidates to also spread the message to their members and followers.
He said that 10 political parties, including the APC, PDP, ADC, Labour Party, SDP, ACP, AA, AAC and Accord Party had indicated interest to participate in the election.
The REC further disclosed that 78, 575 voters will participate in the election while arrangements were being made to organise training for the ad hoc staff and the commission’s staff that will conduct the election.
He appealed to leaders of political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to allow peace to reign before, during and after the election.
The REC promised that enough logistics will be provided to ensure a violent-free and successful election.
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