By Michael Oche
A coalition of civil society organizations, on Friday, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the July 31 deadline for Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
Nigerian Pilot reports that INEC’s decision to end the CVR by July 31 has not gone down well with many Nigerians who have been unable to get registered.
The Coalition under the umbrella of Civil Society for Good Governance (CCSGG), during a peaceful rally at the premises of the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja said millions of Nigerians are yet to be registered, saying it will be unfair if they are disenfranchised and denied their democracy rights to participate in the 2023 general election.
Convener of the Coalition which comprises 20 CSOs, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku said the group, despite the security challenge in the nation’s capital, decided to come out for the rally due to the seriousness attached to the call for extension of the deadline.
Theophilus Ndubuaku while handing over a letter of appeal addressed to the National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, said millions of Nigerians are desperate to get registered.
He said, “We are appealing, let INEC overreach itself, and please extend this exercise. We know the tenacity of INEC. We know that you can stretch this thing a little more. People want to vote. Let us give them a chance. We know your constraints. If it is funding, you can ask for more funding, and it is justified.”
INEC’s Assistant Director of Security, Mrs. Endurance Babangida, who received the letter on behalf of the Commission, said the appeal would be looked into.
