 Published
January 26th, 2011
London, UK, January 22, 2011
- Millions of voters across the country must establish their
eligibility and register in order for their votes to count
on April 2011 elections. The challenges of inability of
voters to register can lead to lawsuits, bad-tempered
arguments among electoral candidates and escalating partisan
battles. Because many voters may not be able to register due
to various problems encountered by INEC and this could flag
vote eligibility questions and could lead to confusion on
Election Day. Furthermore, it is impossible to know how many
voters are affected nationwide with this machine related
problema.
The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and
the Federal government have been urged to consider the
extension of the ongoing registration exercise to enable all
Nigerians have the opportunity to perform their civic
responsibilities.
The global based Organisation, Goodluck Jonathan campaign
Team (GJGCT), with its headquarter in the United Kingdom
made this appeal in London during a press conference
organized to review the political situations in the Nigeria
and the just concluded party primaries.
The Global Campaign Team Chairman, Mr. Peter Eledan noted
that it would be appropriate to extend the days of the
registration exercise in view of the multiple problems
facing Nigerians who have come out amass to register at
various centers across the country.
Though he commended INEC and other stakeholders in the
project so far, but added that this greatest opportunity
should not be wasted owing to some technical problems being
experienced on the use of the equipment nationwide.
Eledan opined that the time frame of two weeks may not be
adequate to accommodate eligible voters to register
considering the importance of this year’s elections to
Nigeria as a nation and the enthusiasm shown by the people
to participate in the exercise.
He also advised INEC to equally incorporate manual
registration side by side with the electronic operation
pointing out that in the advanced nations of the world both
systems are constantly being used as technology can fail any
time. He suggested that INEC should recruit more temporary
staffs to assist the INEC personnel on the field.
The Campaign Team Chairman also called of Nigerians outside
the shores of the country to give logistic support to the
efforts of the government and INEC by mobilizing Nigerians
back home, stressing the importance of one man one vote as a
pre requisite for free and fair election in Nigeria.
Eledan said his group had gone round the country to monitor
the progress of the exercise and to educate the public on
the need to participate in the registration, stressing that
successful voters registration will be a vital landmark for
the peaceful conduct of April elections.
Closing Remark
Peter Eledan, MSc, MBA - Chairman, Goodluck Jonathan Global
Campaign Team (GJGCT).
Mr Niran Abitogun, Author and Executive Writer for
goodluckjonathanfor2011.com.
The website,
http://www.goodluckjonathanfor2011.com , provides news
and updates on Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign activities,
information about his vision for Nigeria’s development, news
on Nigerian Politics and lots more.
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