Politics
SOME residents of Enugu State seeking to register in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Enugu State have expressed frustration over the difficulties in locating designated registration centres.
The respondents made their feelings known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Enugu.
NAN correspondent who visited the Enugu North designated center located on Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, reports that many eligible voters were crowded at the office.
They appealed to the commission to decentralise the registration centres to make them more accessible to new registrants and those seeking transfers or other voter-related services.
They also urged INEC to improve its online registration platform and network to make the process more seamless.
A resident, who gave her name as Nkechinyere, told NAN that she had initially gone to the council headquarters but was referred to the office along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
“This is the third time I am coming to this centre. I was asked to register online, but it did not go through due to poor network.
“I have spent close to N4,000 on transportation to locate the place,” she lamented.
Another registrant, Mrs Chinenye Ike, said she first visited the INEC headquarters at the Independence Layout, Enugu, before she was directed to the designated registration centre.
“Before then, I went to Eke Otu in Enugu South Council Area of Enugu but I was told to visit Enugu North designated centre.
“I have spent a lot to locate the place. I have suffered trying to correct my name and transfer my location, ” she said.
She regretted that in spite of the large number of people seeking registration and other voter services, only two INEC officials were attending to them, resulting in delays.
“I am appealing to the commission to deploy more machines and personnel,” she said.
Another resident, Mr Emma Edem, said he spent about N3,000 on transportation only to be told that he had to complete a fresh registration before any correction or transfer could be processed.
“The process is cumbersome; the location is on the outskirts of the city,” he said, lamenting the attitude of some INEC officials.
“They are impatient and erratic towards the people. No one is directing and guiding people on how to register online.
“What about those who don’t have Android phones and data? They are making everything hard for Nigerians,” he complained.
NAN reports that others who came from Enugu East and North Local Government Areas said the location was far from their houses.
According to Ikechukwu Chibuoke, I live in Trans-Ekulu and it is difficult to go to Nkwo Nike due to the heavy traffic on the road.
“Besides, my office is in the town and by the time I get home, it will be late. So I’m appealing to INEC to consider opening centers close to the people.
Responding, the Head of Department, Voter Education, INEC Enugu State, Mr Chuka Achumie, urged residents seeking fresh voter registration and other voter-related services to visit the designated CVR centres across the state.
Achumie explained that INEC offices were no longer located within local government secretariats and advised residents to familiarise themselves with the commission’s current office locations.
According to him, the INEC office serving Enugu North Local Government Area is located along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway at the former Enugu Development Centre office near Mega Filling Station.
“For Enugu South, the office is located inside Eke Otu in Amechi. Residents can ask for directions to the INEC office once they get to Eke Otu.
“In Enugu East, the office is within the local government area but clearly demarcated from the council secretariat.
“The same arrangement applies across all local government areas in the state,” he said.
He noted that some residents were still visiting former INEC offices, stressing the need for greater public awareness of the new locations.
Achumie encouraged eligible residents not to be discouraged by the registration process, describing the PVC as a vital tool for democratic participation.
On voter education, Achumie said INEC was collaborating with traditional rulers, religious leaders and the Enugu State Government to sensitise residents on the importance of voter registration.
He added that reports from local government areas indicated a high turnout for the ongoing registration.
According to him, although fresh registrants must appear physically for biometric capture and fingerprinting, services such as transfer of voter registration, replacement of lost voter cards and updates of voter information can be processed online.
“All you need to do is visit the INEC website, follow the instructions step-by-step and complete the process,” he advised.
Also speaking, the Enugu State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Clara Nwachukwu, said the agency had intensified sensitisation campaigns across the state to encourage residents to register.
She urged eligible residents to take advantage of the ongoing exercise to obtain their PVCs ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On his part, the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Igwe Samuel Asado, also emphasised the need for sustained voter awareness and improved security to boost citizens’ participation in the electoral process.
“We talk about that. It’s awareness and inclusivity. The government needs to do more,” Asado said. (NAN)
A.I
June 30, 2026
Tags: Continuous Voter Registration CRV Ikechukwu Chibuoke Mr Chuka Achumie Mr Emma Edem Mrs Chinenye Ike Mrs Clara Nwachukwu