Politics
THE Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Anambra State Branch, has appealed to political, traditional, religious, Civil Society Organizations and market leaders in the South East to embark on sensitization programme, including mobilisation and education of citizens and residents who have not registered to immediately do the needful and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards.
CLO stated that the PVC is the fundamental and foundation of the electoral process and that the South East must urgently change the ugly narrative of being a political dwarf due to its low registration and voting strength.
In a statement jointly signed by Vincent Ezekwueme, Chairman and Chidi Mbah, Secretary of CLO Anambra State Branch, the
CLO lamented the nonchalant attitude of many South East leaders towards the electoral process that holds the future of the zone and the generation yet unborn.
_“It is very unfortunate that while leaders of other zones are mobilising their citizens to register, our leaders are only interested in 2027 general elections, as if they are not aware that it is only registered voters that can vote and be voted for,” the statement said.
Posing some critical questions to all stakeholders, the CLO said: “As a candidate, political leader, stakeholder or concerned patriotic citizen, how many people have you mobilised to register?
“Are you not worried and upset that the South East is the least registered zone in the country?
“What are you doing to change the narrative and address the avoidable obstacles raised by prospective registrants?”
The organisation warned that silence and inaction in the face of this crisis amount to complicity.
The CLO calls on INEC, NOA, REC and South East governors to embark on massive public education and enlightenment on the importance of the CVR extension across all communities, markets, churches, schools and motor parks in the South East.
Reduce administrative bottleneck that discourage prospective registrants, including technical failures, long delays, and poor staff disposition.
The CLO also called on the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Elizabeth Agwu,
to come out of her comfort zone and pay impromptu visits to registration centres for on-the-spot assessment of the challenges.
According to the CLO, some key problems identified include alleged demand for bribes before registration and collection of voter’s cards, inadequate manpower at registration centres and erratic power supply that disrupt the process.
The CLO noted that some citizens have complained of their inability to register despite visiting the registration centres for three consecutive days.
It expressed disappointment that “despite earlier appeals, no South East Governor has declared ‘Operation Show Your Voter’s Card’ nor appointed a Senior Special Adviser on Continuous Voter Registration.”
The CLO called for immediate executive action, including the appointment of CVR Focal Persons in all the LGAs and the deployment of state resources to support the registration drive.
It stressed that the extension of the CVR exercise by INEC is a golden opportunity that must not be wasted.
“Our destiny and destination are in our hands. We cannot continue to lament marginalisation at the national level while refusing to do the basic work of registration. Let us rise, mobilise, and register. Let us regain and restore South East political relevance, power and honour,” the CLO said.
The organisation called on traditional rulers, Presidents-General of Town Unions, market leaders, the clergy, women leaders, and youth organizations to use every platform at their disposal to drive this message to every ward, village and market in the South East.
“The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now. Register. Mobilise, vote and reclaim our voice,” the CLO added.
F.O
Tags: CLO INEC South East Leaders