Chairman of the Warri South Local Government Area, Dr Michael Tidi on Monday lamented the shortages of machines used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the ongoing Continues Voters Registration (CVR) exercise.
Tidi said this during the Warri Federal Constituency CVR Townhall Meeting held at the King George Hall, Warri South Local Government Area, Warri.
The Warri South Council Chairman who spoke in his opening address, said INEC needed to do more if they want everybody to participate in the exercise.
He said the democratic bottlenecks involved in the exercise was frustrating eligible voters in the council, adding that until these challenges were removed, the exercise would not be said to be successful.
He said the people of Warri South council are peace loving people who are willing to choose their leaders according to the law.
Also, Chairman of the Warri South West Council Area, Hon Taye Duke, also corroborated what Dr Tidi said, adding that most eligible voters in his council live in remote areas in the creeks.
Duke, therefore appealed to INEC to look at ways to send their workers into the creeks so that the people there could also participate in the exercise.
The Delta State Resident Electoral Officer, Rev. Monday Udoh Tom, said the Commission has approved the devolution of the CVR to the Registration Centres, adding that since March 8, 2022, additional registration centres have been activated, bringing the total number of CVR centres from 26 to 73.
He added that the meeting is for all intents and purposes to rub minds on how more eligible voters can be added to the State voting strength, and therefore bi-partisan.
“The on-going Federal Constituencies CVR Townhall Meeting/Clinic is therefore intended to bring all shades of opinion and political leaning together, without prejudice to partisan posture, to ask and provide answers to questions on the CVR as well as deepen understanding of the Commission’s plans and processes for the activation of more registration centres.
“I appeal to our brothers and sisters, particularly the political gladiators to play by the rules; shun hate speech, and associated vices that will dent the image of the State, known for politics of tolerance and accommodation,” Rev Tom said.
Also present at the Town hall meeting was Dr Roland Oritsejafor, former minister of State Fair defence, Hon Emomotimi Guwor, member representing Warri South West in the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Olivia Agbajor, former House of Representatives member, amongst others.
