Nasarawa State’s INEC Teams Up with Traditional Leaders for Voter Registration Drive
In Nasarawa State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is joining forces with local traditional leaders to make the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) a big success.
This was shared by Dr. Shehu Wahab, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, during a gathering with traditional rulers in Lafia on Tuesday.
He explained that they’re tapping into the strong influence of these community figures to get more people aware and involved, urging eligible folks to sign up.
“Your role as respected guardians is key in spreading the word and making sure no one who’s qualified gets left out,” Wahab said.
He also highlighted how INEC is using tech to streamline things, making it safer and easier for everyone, even those with disabilities.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the registration details:
- Online pre-registration kicked off on Monday, August 18.
- In-person sign-ups begin on August 25.
- INEC teams will be available at set locations from Monday through Friday (no public holidays), running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Right now, they’ve got two machines up and running at the Lafia headquarters and in each of the 13 local government offices.
- More machines will roll out as things pick up.
Wahab stressed that the whole process is totally free, and any INEC worker caught asking for cash for whatever reason will face serious consequences under the law.
He warned staff to steer clear of shady dealings that could hurt the commission’s reputation.
At the same time, he encouraged the public to flag any demands for money, like for fuel or other excuses, straight to INEC so they can handle it.
He assured everyone that all the prep work and supplies are in place for a smooth run.
On the flip side, retired Justice Sidi Bage, who serves as the Emir of Lafia and heads the Nasarawa State Traditional Council, thanked Wahab and his crew for looping them in.
Bage said the traditional leaders are fully on board and ready to back INEC to pull this off.
But he pointed out a potential issue: the two machines per local government might not cut it, and he suggested expanding the effort to cover every electoral ward across the state.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION