Politics
THE Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Anambra State Branch has called on Prof. Joash Amupitan, Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure that some 800,000 citizens and residents of Anambra state are not disenfranchised during next year’s general elections, following the non creation of additional wards and polling wards in many housing estates and New Layouts in tge state.
The CLO in a statement, recalled that the organisation had severally pleaded with the INEC to create additional wards in some housing estates and new layouts in the state to give the residents sense of belonging and opportunity to exercise their franchise without success.
It noted that due to the surge and high cost of living in Urban Centres, many families have relocated and are still relocating to Nsugbe, Nkwelle, Umunya, Oba, Umuchu, Igbariam and others without Electoral Wards or Polling Units.
According to the CLO, it is very pathetic and unfortunate that from Magazine Junction to Nkwelle, there are only 2 Polling Units at St. Theresa Parish Mba Farm and Oyolu Primary School.
The CLO therefore called on INEC to urgently intervene in the pathetic situation by ordering for immediate creation of additional wards, polling units.
The group also called for the extension of Continous Voters Registration and probe the alleged extortion of prospective registrants by INEC officials to restore the people’s confidence, trust in the system and electoral integrity.
“There is also inevitable need to extend CVR as dishonest INEC officials discouraged many citizens from registering as a result of the demand for gratification ranging from N2000 to N5000.
Elder statesman Chief Tony Nnaji lamented how his daughter went to Onitsha South Electoral Office three times to register without success as they demanded #3000, which she refused to pay and they refused to register her., ” the CLO said.
The organisation disclosed that it is still receiving complaints by frustrated registrants and stressed the need for urgent intervention by INEC.
A.I
July 25, 2026
Tags: CLO INEC Prof.Joash Amupitan