Post Views: 148

Damilola Aina, Abuja

Daily Courier – Following the surge of citizens who want to register for the Permanent Voters’ Card, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the deployment of additional 209 machines.

This new arrangement is to ease the congestion at the registration centres in the five southeastern states, Lagos and Kano state.

In a statement signed by INEC’s Chairman, Information and Voter Education committee, Festus Okoye, the electoral body it became a necessity and priority to deploy the additional machine in these states.

The statement said that the commission had received reports from these states indicating an unprecedented surge in the number of citizens who wish to register as voters and the challenges they face across the country, describing the sudden turnout of prospective registrants as overwhelming.

Part of the statement read, “The necessity to urgently deploy more voter enrolment machines to ease the congestion at the registration centres was identified as a priority.”

“In response, the Commission has immediately released additional 209 machines deployed mainly to the five South Eastern States, Lagos and Kano where the pressure is most acute.”

“Every step will be taken and all options will be explored to ensure that eligible Nigerians are given the opportunity to register as voters.”

“The sudden surge is an affirmation of the increasing confidence Nigerians have in our electoral process. The Commission will continue to ensure that this confidence is sustained.”