The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday says it may likely suspend the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in July.
Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the ongoing two-day Editorial Capacity Building Workshop for INEC Public Affairs Officers, held in Lagos.
Oyekanmi noted that were the suspension might be attributed to the fact that most Nigerians were still waiting for the last minute rush before presenting themselves for registration.
He, however, said the commission was impressed by those who had completed their registration both online pre-registration and the physical capturing of biometrics.
“My advice to Nigerians, especially those who are qualified but have never registered before is to do so because we are likely to round off the exercise about six to seven months before the 2023 General Elections.
“The commission has not decided yet but from what we know, we will suspend the CVR between six to seven months before the general elections to enable us clean up the voter register and print the PVCs of those who have registered so far.
“It is extremely important that Nigerians should not wait until June or July before they register,” Oyekanmi said.
Meanwhile, the commission has charged its Public Affairs Officers to be knowledgeable and abreast of the newly-signed Electoral Act 2022.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information, Voter Education, and Publicity, Mr Festus Okoye, who gave the charge in his keynote address said that the commission was leaving no stone unturned in building the capacity of staff, especially public affairs officers who interfaced with the public.
Okoye, who was represented by INEC Administrative Secretary in Lagos, Mr James Popoola, urged the PAOs to be abreast of the new Electoral Act 2022, with a view to aiding their information dissemination.