As preparations intensify for the upcoming governorship election in Edo State slated for September, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faces a setback with the potential halt of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
This development arises from the complete flooding of the Commission’s headquarters in Benin City, the state capital, following heavy rainfall on Friday.
Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, expressed concern over the impact of the flood on the Commission’s operations. He disclosed that the flooding not only damaged a section of the building but also submerged essential equipment, including voter enrollment machines crucial for the CVR.
While assuring the public that steps are being taken to mitigate the situation, Olumekun confirmed plans to secure additional voter enrollment machines from neighboring states to compensate for the loss. However, due to the emergency situation, the INEC headquarters in Benin City will no longer serve as a registration center as initially planned.
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Instead, the CVR exercise will relocate to the Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area (LGA) office situated at 16 Customs Road, off Benin/Auchi Road, Benin City. This decision aims to ensure that the voter registration process proceeds as scheduled, despite the unforeseen challenges posed by the flooding.
Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, provided preliminary assessments of the damage caused by the flooding, emphasizing the need for swift action to address the situation. INEC has also alerted relevant security agencies and emergency services to the incident, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
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As Edo State braces for the electoral activities ahead, the INEC remains committed to facilitating a smooth and transparent process, notwithstanding the obstacles encountered along the way.
