From Garba Galadima (HOD VEP)

Zamfara State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Asma’u Sani Maikudi has held series of consultative meetings with critical stakeholders in the state, as part of efforts to create more awareness about the on-going Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The roll call includes the Governor of the state, Dr Abdulaziz Yari Abubaker, traditional rulers and religious leaders.

Accompanied by the Administrative Secretary, Mr. Abdullahi Gujungu and Heads of Department (HODs), the REC recently visited the traditional rulers at their Council Chambers in Gusau, the state capital, where she unveiled the full details about the CVR. She explained the processes such as eligibility, registration, transfer of voting points and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) among others.

She commended the royal fathers for enlightening their subjects on the exercise, urging them to continue with their efforts. She also thanked them for their support to and cooperation with the Commission.

Responding, the traditional rulers thanked the REC for her update, pledging that as members of the state government’s committee specifically set up to enlighten its citizens on the CVR, they would continue to do their best. They however appealed for the creation of additional registration centres to enable all eligible citizens of the state register.

The REC and her team were also at the Government House to pay a courtesy visit to the governor, where she commended the efforts of the state government in setting up committees at different levels to sensitize the citizenry on the CVR. She also asked for continued cooperation as the Commission continues to prepare for the 2019 general elections.

Governor Abubaker, in his response, asked the Commission for additional registration centres to afford citizens living in distant places the opportunity to register. He also assured the Commission of his readiness to work with it for the achievement credible elections in 2019.

In the same vein, the REC met with religious leaders at the INEC state office in Gausau recently, where she solicited for their support towards creating more awareness about the CVR among their followers. Several issues relating to the CVR were discussed, while questions and comments asked or raised by the religious leaders were answered and noted by the REC.

The religious leaders thanked Dr Maikudi for partnering with and honouring them, just as they affirmed that they have now become fully informed about what they described as “nagging and challenging aspects” of the CVR exercise. They promised to enlighten their members and followers and prayed for her success in the conduct of the elections. She assured them that all INEC-conducted elections would always be free, fair, credible and acceptable.