Following incessant cases of killings and kidnapping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has moved the voter registration exercise from Ukanafun local government area to Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
INEC announced its decision to temporarily move the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise (CVR) to its headquarters in Uyo, the state capital following the unresolved security situation in the area.
This is contained in a press statement signed by Mr. Anthony Patta, Head of voter education and publicity on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Uyo, the state capital.
According to the statement the commission which said the decision would ensure that qualified persons were not disenfranchised, expressed regret all inconveniences the development may cause the people of the affected community.
INEC, therefore, appealed to the stakeholders to ensure that they mobilize their people to come and register and also collect their Permanent Voter Cards.
It reads, “Whereas independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Akwa Ibom state is delighted over the release of its kidnapped staff by the joint operation of the Military, DSS, and Police, it is still concerned about the security situation in Ukanafun LGA, which is not only a challenge, but has slowed down the scale of the Continuous Voter Registration, exercise.
“In order not to disenfranchise qualified prospective registrants, the commission has decided to temporarily move the CVR exercise in Ukanafun LGA to the INEC state headquarters, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
Accordingly, INEC hereby request the stakeholders in the communities in the local government area to mobilize the people to come register and also collect their Permanent Voter Cards.
“INEC further pleads with stakeholders to continuously work with the security agencies so that normalcy is restored in the local government area to allow the commission deliver on it’s mandate of conducting free, fair and credible elections “