Anambra 2021: INEC insists on deploying technology in gov election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday reiterated the resolve of the commission to deploy technology in conducting the elections in Nigeria, not leaving out the governorship election in Anambra State on November 6.

INEC at a meeting on Tuesday to review preparations for the Anambra State Governorship Election holding on Saturday, 6th November 2021, noted that “Section 45 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) requires political parties participating in elections to submit the names and addresses of their Polling Agents, accompanied by two passport photographs and sample signatures of each Polling Agent to the Commission at least 14 days before the date fixed for the election.” The commission stated that the last date for the submission of the list party agents for the Anambra Governorship election was 21st October 2021.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, at the review meeting declared that “In line with the Commission’s avowed commitment to deepen the use of technology in elections, a dedicated portal was designed for political parties to upload the names and other details of their Polling Agents for Polling Units and all the three levels of collation (Registration Areas/Wards, Local Government Areas and State collation).

“A detailed breakdown of the submissions by political parties has been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms for public information.”

Okoye stated that in the previous update, the Commission informed the public that a total of 138,802 Nigerians completed the registration for Permanent Voters Card (PVC) in Anambra State. He stated that after a thorough cleaning up of the data, it was discovered that the number of multiple registrants was 62,698. “Consequently, the number of valid registrants dropped to 76,104.

“During the same period, there were 5,674 requests for transfers, update of voter information and replacement of lost or damaged cards, giving a cumulative total of 81,778 PVCs.

“These cards have been printed and will be delivered to our office in Anambra State on Thursday 28th October 2021,” Okoye highlighted.

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee added that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State and his staff shall work out the most efficient means of ensuring that the voters concerned collect their PVCs in earnest. “Fortunately, the Commission has the telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of all the new registrants. They will be contacted to make the collection seamless,” he said.

The Commission once again assured the people of Anambra State of its determination to proceed with the conduct of the election and appeals to all the critical stakeholders and citizens in the state to cooperate with the Commission for a successful exercise, Okoye said.