INEC's Continuous Voter registration records difficulties on first day in Aba

April 27, 2017

By Ijendu Iheaka
 
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s continuous registration exercise in Abia state which commenced Thursday morning in Aba has run into hitches.
 

Our reporter who visited Aba South local government council reports that the turnout of prospective voters was impressive for the first day.

However, the response of the staff to the prospective voters who came to register was not encouraging as the INEC staff complained that their generating sets were dysfunctional.

The staff were seen trying to start two generating sets which effort seemed to fail because the sets were not responding.

Mr Bara Ogbonna, 60, said his earlier registration efforts failed because the machine had problem registering his finger prints properly and so he could not vote at the last election.

He expressed disappointment at the way the exercise was starting saying that before he came to for registration he had scanty information on it.

He however complained that on reaching the INEC office, he was told that people seeking fresh registration should come with a passport photograph which he did not have.

He said that he wanted to register and vote hence he was leaving to go collect his passport to enable him complete the process.

Wilson Ndukwe said that he came with no prior information on the passport requirement but learnt of it at the INEC office and wondered if it was a new system the government was introducing.

The Electoral Officer, Aba South, Mrs Chiebonam Ojembe told this reporter that they were ready to start registration adding that she was leaving for the stakeholders meeting to sensitize the community.

At Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Council, a young man was seen pasting posters announcing the registration process on the wall outside INEC office premises.

The man who did not give his name however was heard telling a Youth Corps member who wanted to register to return on Tuesday when “everything will be ready for the registration”.

When this reporter entered the Osisioma INEC office, there was no single staff at the place but only a seat with a table in front of it with a marking pen on it was seen at the corridor.

At the Aba North local government council, few people were seen waiting to register while INEC staff were bringing out generating sets and other items to work with.

Although a staff who asked for anonymity said they would start fully on Tuesday, the Electoral Officer, Mrs Nnennaya Ama said they were ready for the exercise.

She however noted that she was going to attend a stakeholders meeting to sensitize the community more on the exercise before they would start registration.