Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has commenced its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in five local government areas of Borno state, where it had initial challenge of deploying personnel and materials for the exercise.
INEC National Commissioner, Ahmed Mu’azu, yesterday told the News Agency of Nigeria that the exercise was going on smoothly in all the 27 LGs of the state.
It had sought the assistance of the Nigerian Air Force in the deployment of personnel and materials required for the conduct of the CVR in Damboa, Chibok, Goza, Bama, and Kala-Balge LGAs of Borno.
The INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, made the request when he led the Commission’s management to a courtesy visit on the Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar, on April 27, in Abuja.
Mu’azu said the exercise was now ongoing in all the 774 LGAs across the country, following the intervention of the Air Force in the air lift of INEC staff and materials to affected five LGs of Borno.
“The continuous voter registration in Borno commenced the same day with other states except in five local governments where we had challenge of deployment of staff and materials to INEC offices in affected LGs.
“This made the INEC Chairman, however, visited the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, to solicit the Air Force assistant in the air light of materials and personnel to the five LGAs.
“The request was graciously given instant approval by the Chief of Air Staff.
“The Air Force has tremendously assisted us to commence the exercise in Borno just few days after the nationwide commence of the exercise on April 27.”
On the exercise nationwide, Mu’azu said that the exercise has been peaceful and encouraging.
“The Commission has been addressing the identified challenges and we also have a plan for mid-term review of exercise to proffer solutions to the identified problems as the exercise continues.”
According to him, the challenge of deployment was not in the local government headquarters, but the road leading to the local government headquarters.
“We appeal to the Air Force to, in the interest of our democracy and father land, deploy our national assets at your disposal to enable us achieve this great responsibility.”
Responding, Abubakar pledged the readiness of the force to partner with INEC for safe deployment of INEC’s staff and materials.
He also promised the force’s readiness to assist INEC in future elections not only in Borno but in any part of the country.
