Following the motion raised by the Spokesperson of the House and Member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Rep. Benjamin Kalu. The House of Representatives has mandated the Committee on INEC to liaise with the Independent Electoral Commission over the extension of the Deadline of the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration by 60 days from June 30, 2022.
The lawmaker stated that as a result of the large number of eligible voters still unregistered evidenced by the large throngs of Nigerians at various registration centers which has caused so much congestion and also reports of shortages of voter registration machines as well as the shortage of adequate manpower and personnel at registration centers.
He added that It has become imperative that the independent Electoral Commission extends the registration exercise by an extra period of 60 days to enable more Nigerians to register.
Rep. Kalu emphasized that the right to vote is critically important to the health and legitimacy of our democracy, as well as electoral integrity and if nothing is done to improve the shortage of voter registration equipment and extend the deadline for registration, millions of Nigerians may be disenfranchised thus jeopardizing the integrity of the 2023 General Elections.
In line with the resolution of the House, the Committee on INEC will meet with the commission and report back to the House after two week.
