... Donates six brand new cars to fans, supporters
BY VICTOR NWEGEDE
Odii informed the members of the Foundation and all Ebonyians to see the voter registration exercise as their constitutional rights through which they can be gauranteed a valid Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to vote and be voted for during elections after being registered.
The President said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deployed her men and materials to all the 774 local government areas in the 36 states of the country including the FCT, where the exercise commenced on 28th June, 2021.
He explained that the Foundation embarked on the public enlightenment and sensitization to encourage the people to turn out for the CVR exercise, collect their PVCs when made available and to be ready to exercise their civic rights during elections to determine who would govern them.
He said that the INEC voter registration guidelines only allow categories of Nigerians who are 18 years and above, with those not registered previously to be part of the exercise.
Others allowed by the INEC to participate in the CVR Exercise according to Odii include: "Registered voters who have had any problem during accreditation for any past election, with either their Permanent Voters Cards or their fingerprints not being read by the Smart Card Reader. Registered voters who want to transfer their voting location from one place to another. Registered voters who want to correct issues with their data, such as misspelt names, dates of birth, etc. Registered voters whose PVCs are lost or damaged."
He revealed that 'a critical analysis' by 'the INEC weekly reports of the CVR Exercise' has shown 'Nigerians in the rural areas need proper enlightenment and sensitization in order to participate effectively.'
While giving instances, Odii said, "a quick glance at the week 9 report published on 30th August 2021 in the INEC website shows that in the online pre-registration category, our dear Ebonyi State has recorded a paltry number of 14, 750 registrants. Although, we are third in the South East, as we are trailing behind Anambra and Imo States, which have 118,200 and 27,095 respectively.
"This is a far cry from 379, 914 being recorded by Osun State; 209,094 by Edo State and 198,148 by Bayelsa State. While in the completed registration category, Ebonyi State is second in the South East with a record of 6,858 newly registered voters, after Anambra State that has 39,428. Whereas, Osun has 35,319, Kano State has 29,748 and Bauchi State has 27,781."
He advised all qualified persons for the continuous voter registration to get registered, calling all hands to be on deck to ensure the exercise ended with a commendable result.
"A lot has to be done, but the challenge is not insurmountable. It is therefore, pertinent to note that while INEC is battle ready for this exercise, the low turnout of eligible registrants to be registered is a huge setback to the progress of the exercise in our dear state. Hence, all hands must be on the deck to ensure that all the eligible registrants and existing voters with certain challenges are encouraged to turn out in their numbers to do the needful," he added.
Odii explained that the gathering was neither for a political campaign nor for partisan affiliation to any political party but a complete form of corporate social responsibility of the Foundation to collaborate the constitutional roles of the government at all levels in ensuring a better and inclusive society for all the citizens.
On their parts, the Ebonyi State Coordinator of the Foundation, Comrade Christian Onuh and his Secretary, Comrade Okorie C. Okorie, also advised Ebonyians especially the youths to ensure that they obtain their PVCs by getting themselves registered during the CVR exercise to enable them choosing the leaders of their choice in election time.
The duo equally explained that Ebele and Anyichuks Foundation is Non-Governmental Organization which focuses on touching lives positively, noting that the event was held to deploy their members and supporters to all nooks and crannies of the state to educate them on the importance of CVR exercise.
