By Nathaniel Gana
29th November 2017
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the creation of 370 additional Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) centres across the country, with each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) allocated 10 centres each.
When added to the existing 302 centres created in the first quarter of the CVR exercise, the total number will increase to 672 nationwide.
The Commission’s decision was informed by its desire to provide citizens with wider access to the centres to enable them register in the on-going CVR exercise ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The exercise, which is the first of its kind, commenced on 27th April this year.
In another development, the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) has inducted five directing staff of the Commission. The induction took place during the institute’s annual conference held on 28th November in Abuja.
The Commission’s Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu at the occasion, commended the Institute for its partnership with INEC in deploying the Electoral Alternative Dispute Resolution (EADR) tool, aimed at resolving electoral disputes peacefully.
Represented by National Commissioner, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, the INEC Chairman noted that the introduction of the EADR through several interventions such as trainings, mediation exercises and sensitization of electoral/political stakeholders had greatly helped in reducing cases of litigations in the electoral process.
Professor Yakubu expressed optimism that with greater partnership with the ICMC, more awareness on the use of the ADR tool in resolving electoral disputes would be created.
In recognition of his support for the ADR mechanism, Prof. Yakubu was also conferred with the Institute’s honorary fellowship.
The Commission had in the past, deployed the EADR tool through its ADR Directorate in resolving electoral disputes in different states including Kano and Imo.