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Local government

Voter Registration Apathy in Imo State: INEC and Experts Weigh In

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) struggles to register potential voters in Imo State, experts and officials are pointing fingers at insecurity, apathy, and lack of awareness as major reasons. According to INEC's public relations officer, Dr Maryann Godslight, only one person has registered in Ohaji/Egbema local government area, while no one has registered in Isu local government area due to insecurity and apathy.

Meanwhile, the coordinator of Electoral Rights Protection Network, Mr Udochukwu Chukwu, blames the apathy on loss of confidence, lack of awareness, and inadequate information about the registration exercise. Chukwu emphasizes that INEC and elected government officials failed to embark on massive sensitization of their constituents, unlike their counterparts in the southwest and northern states. He also criticizes INEC for not providing the right information on how to register online before accessing the self-registration portal.

Key Takeaways:

  • Only one person has registered in Ohaji/Egbema local government area, while no one has registered in Isu local government area due to insecurity and apathy.
  • INEC blames the low turnout on insecurity and apathy of voters, while experts attribute it to loss of confidence, lack of awareness, and inadequate information about the registration exercise.
  • Coordinator of Electoral Rights Protection Network, Mr Udochukwu Chukwu, criticized INEC for inadequate awareness and sensitization of voters.
  • Chukwu also pointed out that elected government officials failed to embark on massive sensitization of their constituents.
  • INEC has failed to provide the right information on how to register online before accessing the self-registration portal.

Statistics:

  • Only one person has registered in Ohaji/Egbema local government area.
  • No one has registered in Isu local government area.
  • Less than 1,000 new voters have registered in Imo State.
  • Major Southwest states are recording massive new voter registrations.

Sources:

  • Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
  • Coordinator of Electoral Rights Protection Network, Mr Udochukwu Chukwu.

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