Ahead of the flag-off of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met, Wednesday in Lagos with heads of security agencies.
The meeting was under the auspice of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The meeting held at INEC headquarters in Sabo-Yaba, Lagos State.
At the meeting were representatives of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Army, Department of State Security, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, and Federal Road Safety Commission.
Others are: the National Youth Service Corps, Federal Fire Service, and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission
Speaking, Prof. Ayobami Salami, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos, said the meeting was to kick-start a crucial partnership in preparation for the upcoming CVR starting on Aug. 18.
According to Salami, the meeting is his inaugural engagement with ICCES members as the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the state.
He commended the various security agencies present on their consistent for INEC operations, saying their collaboration had helped the commission to conduct better elections.
“This meeting provides the platform for us to discuss our preparation and consider essential issues with respect to the security architecture of the state, and strategise in preparation for the exercise.
“The CVR exercise presents an opportunity for eligible citizens to register, update their details and exercise their right to participate in our democratic process
“The success of this exercise however, hinges on the security and stability provided by your agencies.
“As we embark on this critical exercise, one cannot over-emphasise the pivotal role that your agencies play in ensuring the safety and security of our electoral process.
“Your expertise and collaboration are indispensable in maintaining peace, preventing malpractices, and thereby upholding the integrity of our democratic endeavours,” Salami said.
He said that INEC would always work with ICCES to ensure a secure environment for voter registration, tame malpractices, prevent and respond to incidents of violence or intimidation, and enhance public confidence in the electoral process.
“I look forward to a fruitful synergy with your agencies and pledge that INEC will work hand-in-hand with you to achieve our shared objectives.
“Together, we can ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible process that strengthens our democracy,” Salami said.
Giving more information on the forthcoming exercise, Mr Muyiwa Yussuf, INEC’s Head of Department, Voter Registration/ICT, said that the Online Pre-registration would start on Aug. 18, urging prospective eligible applicants to register online on INEC Portal via https://www.cvr.inecnigeria.org.
Yussuf said that the In-Person Physical Registration would start on Aug. 25 at the 20 local government area offices and the state headquarters of INEC in the state.
According to him, the exercise shall be all-year-round for a period as may be determined by the commission beginning from 9.00a.m. to 3.00p.m. daily, except Saturday and Sunday.
He said that anyone on queue as at 3.00p.m. during the period would be accepted for registration.
Yussuf said that those who just attained the age of 18, those who needed to replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and voters wishing to transfer their registration to a new location were eligible to participate in the exercise.
He added that individuals who needed to update their voter information,including name, address ,could also present themselves for the exercise.
“It is very important to say that the commission would not tolerate double registration and registration of the underaged as there are many ways these can be detected,” he said.
According to him, at the moment, Lagos State has 20 LGAs, 245 Registration Areas and 13, 325 Polling Units with a total of 7, 060,195 registered voters.
He said that PVCs collected by voters as at February 2023 stood as 6,214,970 and a total of 845,225 uncollected PVCs.
Speaking, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Lagos State Police Command, DCP Tijani Fatai, pledged the readiness of police and other security agencies to ensure a seamless exercise across the state.
“It is our duty to protect lives and property-INEC and its officials are included. For us, we are ready to give adequate security backing to all activities that INEC is to carry out.
“So, wherever the commission is going, we will provide its officials and materials with adequate security to make all those activities successful.
“Let all the eligible residents be free to go out for their registration as their security is guaranteed,” he said.
