EKET STAKEHOLDERS INTENSIFY EFFORT ON VOTERS’ REGISTRATION, CITE DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS

EKET STAKEHOLDERS INTENSIFY EFFORT ON VOTERS’ REGISTRATION, CITE DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS

Stakeholders in Eket Local Government Area have stepped up mobilisation for the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise, insisting that voters registration is critical to development.

The Chairman of Eket Local Government Council, Mkpisong Hon. Akaniyene Tommey, speaking during the stakeholders engagement at the Chairman’s lodge, urged traditional rulers, political leaders, youths, women and other groups to intensify efforts to mobilise their respective wards for the exercise.

He called on first-time voters, new residents, and persons needing to update or replace damaged or lost cards to take advantage of the window period stipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

“This is not a party affair; It is a matter of developing our community, so we must take it very seriously and importantly”.

Speaking also, the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mkpisong Hon. Frank Archibong, said the exercise must be seen beyond politics and party interests, noting that population and voters figure remain a key determinant in Nigeria’s governance structure.

“Voters’ registration is a requisite for development, not just party politics. The number of our registered voters is a key factor in determining development,” Archibong said.

“There is a certain population benchmark you must attain to have a constituency, local government, and attract infrastructure. Whether it is the creation of new wards, the delineation of constituencies, or the siting of federal and state projects, government relies on data, and voter registration is a critical data to be considered.”

Charging stakeholders to intensify efforts, he noted that, “if we mobilise and show strength in numbers, we will have the moral and statistical authority to demand what is due to us.”

The former INEC commissioner, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, noted that, registration of INEC voter’s card is not a party affair, else he wouldn’t be part of the meeting.

According to him, there was a big gap between the total number of registered voters in the 2023 elections and the total number of those who voted.

Warning against political apathy, he affirmed that, electoral participation and population statistics attract development.

The Electoral Officer for Eket LGA, Mr. Emeka, assured stakeholders of his Commission’s support and collaboration with the Community to ensure that the registration exercise is successful.