Reps directs INEC to extend voters’ registration to 14 days

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the ongoing continuous voters’ registration to 14 days. The House resolution came against the backdrop of INEC’s extension of the Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) by two days. The resolution of the House was sequel to a motion moved by Honourable Hassan Saleh entitled: “urgent need to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the duration for registration of voters whose names were omitted from its register.” In his submission, Honourable Saleh noted that a total of 650 polling units in Benue State recorded zero voters’ registration disenfranchising close to 700,000 potential voters. Most eligible voters, who registered in 2010, he added, could not find their names in the new register and could not have any temporary or permanent card, stressing that “over half of the polling units in my constituency were affected as my constituents could not find their names and were asked to come for re-registration from the May 28 to June 1.”