INEC clarifies on invasion of CVR centre in Lagos, says ‘no machine was carted away by thugs’
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos has clarified on viral reports claiming miscreants had invaded one of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) centres situated at St. Bridget Catholic Church, Ijesha, in Surulere area of the state and carted away registration materials in the process.
INEC, in a statement, while admitting that disruption of the CVR exercise had occurred following the invasion of the centre by thugs, however, denied any of its registration machines was removed by the invaders.
INEC’s Public Relations Officer in Lagos, Mrs Adenike Oriowo said orderliness was immediately restored after the disruption, adding further that the exercise has now been relocated to another registration centre in the same area of the state.
“There were issues in the said CVR centre but orderliness was restored and the exercise continued smoothly.
“We have moved the registration in that centre to another polling unit in the area, and our officials have continued with the registration.
“People should be patient. We shall register as many people as possible. If people continue to disrupt the process, the opportunity to register more people before the deadline will be interrupted.
“Our commitment is to register as many people as possible and we will try to do so within the limited time.”
Oriowo, who frowned at the last-minute rush by many applicants, said the exercise had been on since June 2021 and many people did not take advantage but waited till the deadline.
“As it is, INEC started this process over a year ago. The surge we are experiencing in the last few weeks is expected, but people should as well be patient.
“The commission will do everything possible to register as many people as possible. We will try as much as possible to capture everybody,” she added.
The CVR exercise which commenced in June 2021 would be concluded on July 31, ahead of the 2023 general elections.