By Praise Necherem
The Catch them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI) has called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the Continious Voter Registration (CVR) process in Imo state.
Executive Director, CATYCOI, Nonso Orakwe in a statement on Thursday made available to reporters in Awka, Anambra State said the call has become necessary to ensure scores of young people in the state were not disenfranchised.
He said his organization in collaboration with other youth-focused Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the state were prepared to assist in mobilizing youths in the state in the process.
The statement partly reads, “We’re concerned about the participation of youth in the November 11 off-cycle governorship elections in Imo state.
“We are concerned that there are no signs whatsoever that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct a Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in Imo state with only a short time left until the forthcoming governorship election.
“Section 9(6) of the 2022 Electoral Act states that โthe registration of voters, updating and revision of the Register of Voters under this section SHALL not stop not later than 90 days before any election covered by this Act.
“By this section of the Electoral Act, it is mandatory for INEC to continue to register new voters until August.
“It is imperative to note that many young Imo youth have turned 18 years old since the suspension of the CVR exercise in July 2022. Others could not complete their registration or register at all before the suspension of the last exercise.
“We call on INEC to immediately set machinery into motion to conduct the CVR process in Imo state. If this is not done scores of young people will be disenfranchised.
“CATYCOI in partnership with other organizations in Imo state are ready to assist in mobilizing Imo youth to go out and register.
“While the youth already constitute the majority of registered voters in Nigeria, they also constitute the highest number of citizens that are yet to register.
“We call on INEC to ensure that Imo youth are able to register and have their voices heard during the November 11 off-cycle governorship elections.”
