From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
Plateau State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Haliru Pai, has said the commission rejected 11,321 application of some persons for the continued voter registration due to multiple registration.
Mallam Pai, stated this Monday in Jos, Plateau state, during a press conference held at Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Jos.
“The commission in the state rejected 11,321 applicants because they have previously registered,” he said.
He said a total of 40,491 newly registered and revalidated voter cards have been approved by INEC in the state.
“So far, as at Saturday 7am, 19th March 2022 pre-registration is 232,265 people, while 79,454 people have updated and transferred their voting location and only 47,195 have completed their registration, out of which 40,491 have been approved by the commission in the state.,” he explained.
However, the REC noted that the ongoing continued registration which started last year June 2021 shall be put on hold tomorrow, Tuesday to allow display of registered voters list for claims.
“On the 22nd of March, the ongoing registration will be suspended to allow for display of claims and objectives,” he said.
According to the Plateau state REC, people who have been booked by INEC to address issues concerning their Permanent Voters Cards issues shall be attended to, when the registration process shall commence again in its 4th quarter, April this year.
He explained further that the continued voter registration shall continue in April “the 4th and final quarter will commence on the 11th of April to 30th June 2022,” he said.
Mallam Pai assured Nigerians that the newly registered permanent voters cards shall be ready for collection before the February, 2023 general election.
Pai said new innovations acquired by the INEC shall make positive and great difference during next general election, therefore, urged for full participation of Nigerians in the electoral process.
Speaking on the need for more participation of Nigerians on electoral process, Mallam Pai noted that the greater number of people participating in the process are the youth.
Pai commended the Country Director, Centre for Youth Participation Advocacy (CYPA), Chris Iyama for prioritizing advocacy on voter education, particularly to the youth.