CVR is ongoing in all LGAs —INEC Commissioner

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had since commenced Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno, where it had initial challenges of deploying personnel and materials for the exercise.

INEC National Commissioner, retired Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Mu’azu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja that the exercise was going on smoothly in all the 27 LGAs of the state.

INEC had sought the assistance of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in the deployment of personnel and materials required for the conduct of the CVR in Damboa, Chibok, Goza, Bama, and Gala/Balge LGAs of Borno.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mamood Yakubu, made the request when he led the commission’s management on a courtesy visit on the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal 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 airlift of INEC staff and materials to affected five LGAs 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 LGAs.

“This made the INEC Chairman to visit the Chief of Air Staff, , to solicit the assistance of the Air Force in the airlift 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 commencement of the exercise on April 27,’’ Mu’azu said.

He added that the air force had also been assisting INEC in monitoring the exercise in the state.

Asked for update on the exercise nationwide, Mu’azu noted that it had been peaceful and encouraging.

“The commission has been addressing the identified challenges and we also have a plan for mid-term review of the exercise to proffer solutions to the identified problems as the exercise continues.’’

NAN recalled that INEC commenced the nationwide CVR on April 27.

INEC chairman had stated that with peace being restored in the North-East and several people had returned to their towns and villages, the commission had challenges in deploying its personnel and materials in five LGAs in Borno.

The chairman had explained that the challenges encountered by the commission in the deployment of men and materials were profound in the roads leading to local government headquarters.